I am a proud Indian," he added.Īt the event he also touched upon his weight loss journey: "I was never apologetic about how I looked. "I had my own ups and downs in getting the Indian citizenship, but ultimately I got it and I am happy about it. I lived in various countries but my heart was always in India due to the love showered on me by the people. That was why I decided to apply for an Indian citizenship," he said.Īnother Indian daily, Business Standard, quoted the former Pakistani singer as having said, "India is my karma bhoomi (workplace). Indians have given me immense and unconditional love and I am very grateful. If someone lovingly asks me for my life, I'll give it up. The Padma Shri reminds me of how much I've yet to achieve.Īs Shah Rukh Khan famously said, 'Abhi picture baqi hai, mere dost.' And yes, I am working on the first part of my memoir.įor similar articles, join our Telegram channel for the latest updates.Adnan Sami has landed himself in the midst of controversy more than a few times, but that doesn't seem to dissuade him from inviting more.Īccording to Deccan Chronicle, while at a Wellness Congress event, the singer shared why he decided to pack his bags and move to India.
And now here I am finally at peace with my past and present. I have been through the worst of crises including two broken marriages, change of nationality, death threats… you name it. How do you look back on your journey so far? And I am glad I got the Padma Shri now and not much later. I am working on some projects that I can't speak about. In the coming months, you will be hearing more of me. It spurs me on to do better and better work. What does the Padma Shri mean to your career? We are a film-fixated nation, and thank God for that (laughs). READ: UAE National Day: Manike Mage Hithe hitmaker Yohani to perform in Dubaiĭo you think Indians tend to give too much importance to film actors and not so much to other artists? word-with-Adnan-Sami-after-the-awards-funtions.jpg 615w, word-with-Adnan-Sami-after-the-awards-funtions-300x207.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px" /> Prime Minister Modi having a word with Adnan Sami after the awards function I felt proud to be in the same room as them. The Indian government honours these artisans, painters, folk singers who constitute such an integral yet neglected part of our culture. We would think that artistes scholars and other achievers from such humble backgrounds would go unnoticed. They came from such humble backgrounds and they had achieved so much in their field. Pakistani singer-musician Adnan Sami has applied for Indian citizenship for a second time despite an earlier plea of his having been rejected by the Centre.
I was looking at some of the winners whom I had never heard of. I was thinking of how proud my father (Arshad Sami Khan, the late Pakistan air force pilot and Pakistan ambassador) would have been to see me getting honoured by the Indian government. READ: India opens borders to fully vaccinated foreign tourists Have you ever been in that spectacular hall at Rashtrapati Bhavan where the Padma awards are given? Just to be in that epic room with all those achievers from all over the country from all walks of life is such a humbling experience. So what did it feel like to receive the Padma from the President? I must be doing something right for them to be so angry. But you know what? I feel the more I'm trolled by Pakistanis, the more I am on the right path. READ: This city bans stalls selling non-vegetarian food along public roads from today You know, ever since I opted for Indian citizenship, Pakistanis aren't happy with it. Neither 1 nor 2 First statement is incorrect because the power to grant citizenship lies with the Home Ministry. If they didn't like my being honoured by the Indian government, My government, then too bad. How has Pakistan reacted to your Padma Sri? How do you think they reacted? There was a lot of nasty criticism. In 2019, an ED Tribunal quashes the earlier order, puts a penalty of Rs 50. How did it feel to be overshadowed by Kangana Ranaut at the Padma awards?Įrrrrr… is these the kind of questions you want to ask me at this moment when I feel so deeply honoured. After having applied for Indian citizenship, on 1 January 2016 Adnan Sami is issued a certificate of naturalization. Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates from around the world Here are excerpts from an interview he gave to Subhash K.Jha of after he got the Padma Shri award from the President of India, Ramnath Kovind this month. He is now an Indian citizen thanks to the Government of India. New Delhi, November 13 (): Singer Adnan Sami was a Pakistani citizen till recently.