The anthology film My Melbourne, helmed by Indian directors Onir, Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, and Kabir Khan, features Afghan pop star Aryana Sayeed making her Hindi singing debut. She contributed her vocals to the track Rukna Nahi in the film.

In a special interview with Hindustan Times, Aryana Sayeed discussed her involvement in the project, her experience singing the heartfelt melody, and shared her aspirations for future collaborations with Indian artists.

Aryana's tough journey as a singer

Aryana shared that her passion for music has been a part of her life since she was a child. Reflecting on her journey as a singer, she stated, “During my childhood in Afghanistan, I was the family's entertainer. At the age of eight, I left Afghanistan and moved to Europe, where I attended school. By the time I turned 13, music had become my favorite subject, and I recognized my desire to pursue it more seriously. I began singing in a choir, but this was short-lived as my family discouraged me from continuing when they realized I wanted to make a career out of it. This was largely due to the cultural stigma in Afghanistan, where female singers are often looked down upon and singing is not considered appropriate for women. However, years later, while living in London as an adult, I rediscovered my passion for singing and resolved to follow that path, despite my family's objections. They eventually acknowledged my talent, recognizing that I possessed a God-given voice.”

She recounted the struggle she faced in persuading her parents to support her singing career, adding, “Coming from India, a country rich in musical heritage, I feel that music flows through the veins of its people, and you are fortunate. In Afghanistan, however, women must contend with significant opposition from their families and society, while men enjoy greater freedom. For women, pursuing dreams, especially in music and performance, is fraught with challenges. I had to fight for my aspirations and demonstrate to myself that I could succeed. My family was concerned about the negative stereotypes associated with female singers, who are often viewed as lacking in character and at risk of falling into a life of vice, such as substance abuse. This became my mission: to prove to my family that I would not stray from the right path. Ultimately, my family transformed into my most ardent supporters.”

Aryana on being a part of My Melbourne

Talking about being a part of My Melbourne, Aryana said, “It was an amazing experience. I feel very honoured and privileged to be able to make my debut in Bollywood with such an amazing song and project, My Melbourne, which has real-life stories. And then one of them being about this Afghan girl and her dreams and how she fights for her dreams. It’s something very inspiring. This topic is very close to my heart. I have been working as an activist for a long time. I could totally relate to the lyrics of the song. I loved it instantly. Kabir Khan being the director of the movie—he is someone I really admire and respect. So everything made sense.”

As an enthusiast of Bollywood music, Aryana shared that mastering the Hindi lyrics came easily to her. She stated, “I quickly learned the Hindi lyrics. I have a basic understanding of Hindi, as I have been watching Bollywood films and enjoying the music since I was young. Therefore, I comprehend everything and can sing a little as well. My only concern was about my accent—hopefully, I don’t have one—but later, I received feedback from others saying that I sing beautifully without any accent. This encouragement boosted my confidence, and now I feel inspired to explore more Bollywood songs.”

Aryana wishes to collaborate with Diljit Dosanjh

When inquired about her preferred Indian artist for collaboration, Aryana expressed, “Currently, I am a huge fan of the incredible Punjabi singer, Diljit Dosanjh. He is truly my favorite. Having the chance to perform with him would be extraordinary, as he brings such a refreshing vibe to Indian and Punjabi music with his cool style, lyrics, and melodies. I genuinely adore his songs.”

Read Also: Morgan Wallen’s Last Words on SNL: Expert Lip Reader Weighs In

"Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!"