Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami: Kashmiri musicians win hearts nationwide with Saiyaara

Saiyaara music directors

Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara has taken the box office by storm, grossing over ₹100 crore globally in its opening weekend.

The Yash Raj Films romantic drama has not only resonated for its emotionally stirring storyline, but its music—particularly the title track—has struck an even deeper chord. Hauntingly beautiful and soaked in raw feeling, the song has rapidly climbed the charts and become a soul-stirring anthem.

While acclaimed composer Tanishk Bagchi is being hailed as the creative force behind the soundtrack, few are aware that the emotional core of Saiyaara—its title track—was crafted by two debutant musicians from Kashmir: Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami.

The duo, long recognised in the independent music circuit for their deeply emotive vocals and musical authenticity, have finally found a national platform. And for millions of listeners, their voices have become synonymous with the heartbeat of the film.

Abdullah, already a household name in Kashmir’s local music scene, described the opportunity as his “dream Bollywood debut” and a chance to showcase the cultural richness of his homeland.

It was Bagchi—whom the two fondly call an elder brother—who introduced them to director Mohit Suri. That introduction would prove life-changing. The result was Saiyaara's title track, a composition that not only feels musically sophisticated but spiritually resonant.

“It is an honour to represent Kashmir in the Hindi film industry with our musical debut in 'Saiyaara',” Abdullah said in a recent media interaction. “Our state has beautiful people and incredible artists. I am really happy that two Kashmiri boys have worked really hard to land this project of a lifetime and are trying to make a name for themselves in the Hindi film industry.”

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He further shared his hope that their success could open the door for more artists from Kashmir. “We want to make our people back home to be proud of our work, and it is truly humbling to witness that my song is the first track to open the Saiyaara promotional campaign.”

Known for his evocative song ‘Ishq’, Faheem Abdullah first entered the scene in 2020 with the track ‘Jhelum’. Since then, he’s explored a range of genres—from Dream Pop and Blues to Ghazals and Sufi Rock—all while maintaining a distinctly Kashmiri essence rooted in poetry, emotion, and truth.