New Delhi: Eye to Eye. Angel. Humanity Love. Farishta. This delightful tapestry of love and bonding from Pakistani pop singer Taher Shah will soon get a new addition. Some call his music cringe, others find it hilariously good, but Taher Shah, the purple-wearing Angel who last appeared as a Farishta during Covid, knows his audience well. And so, without any hullabaloo, he recently dropped a one-line message for his fans on Twitter and Instagram: “The Beginning Of A New Era…Project Update”.
For his fans, Taher Shah is what Pakistan needs right now.
only taher shah can heal this country now https://t.co/0e6zbLaA72
— Anaya Khan (@AnayaNKhan) June 4, 2023
Another user tweeted, “Nature will heal, disputes will be solved, my mental health will peak, twitter will be on fire.”
The Shah of No Blah has something lined up for 10 June. There is no indication of what it would be but that doesn’t matter to his fans right now. The “legend” announcing his comeback is a match-up with ‘Ustad’ Chahat Fateh Ali Khan, another Pakistani sensation whom columnist Naila Inayat described as “besuron ka betaj badshah”. Chahat, instantly recognisable in his Bappi Lahiri get-up, won Pakistan’s hearts with his home-made videos during Covid and has been drawing viewers and followers ever since.
But as loyal fans of Taher Shah say, the king is coming back for his crown.
Taher shah being brought back into the game to counter Chahat Fateh Ali https://t.co/57XDRvPi5z
— Liaqat (@Slh_Andrabi) June 4, 2023
“Oh waiting, far far better than Chahat Fateh Ali Khan,” tweeted another user. Chahat first rose to popularity with his rendition of the anthem for the eighth edition of Pakistan Super League that went viral.
While this supposed duel is fun, what Taher Shah certainly wouldn’t have anticipated is the burden of putting Pakistan back on track. “The only person who can restore order now. This is our last hope. Not IMF,” tweeted Rafay Mahmood, a Pakistani journalist.
But Shah is not to be taken lightly. From his debut song Eye to Eye (2013) to his last release Farishta (2020), he has never disappointed his fans — whether in terms of cringe or controversy. He has faced enormous ridicule, even death threats, which made him flee Pakistan in 2016. But he keeps coming back for love and brickbats. ‘Mark your calendars,’ is the buzz on Pakistani social media. But it will be more than love this time.
As one Pakistani user said, “Let the healing begin.”
(Edited by Prashant)