Overview

• Pakistani authorities refused Sami’s visa request in 2024 after his mother’s sudden death, forcing him to view her funeral over a WhatsApp video call.
• The Indian government granted him permission to travel for his mother’s last rites without objection.
• Sami relinquished Pakistani citizenship in 2016 and left behind inherited properties worth crores to rebuild his career in India.
• He credits Asha Bhosle’s advice to move to Mumbai for transforming his music trajectory and producing hits like “Lift Karade” and “Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein.”
• Earlier this year, he was honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to music.