After their popular rendition of Heer, Shehnaz & Sahil Akhtar explore Bulle Shah’s kalam
Carrying forward a rich heritage, the Akhtar Brothers, Shehnaz and Sahil, are steadily making their mark in the music industry, one step at a time.
From playback singing for Hindi and Punjabi films to live concerts and collaborations, the duo is now gearing up to infuse the timeless poetry of Bulleh Shah into their compositions, aiming to bring a new depth and richness to their music.
Born and raised in Ludhiana, Shehnaz and Sahil’s earliest lessons in music came from their father, Darshan Khan, a musician in his own right. Inspired by their father as well as their talented sisters, Gurlez Akhtar and Jasmeen Akhtar, the brothers naturally gravitated toward a career in music. Reality shows played a pivotal role in their journey, giving them much-needed recognition and opening doors for playback singing opportunities.
Their growing repertoire includes tracks like Ik Vaari, Tu Na Chad Dayi Yaara, Ishq, Charkha, and their latest Heer. Their songs have been featured in popular film soundtracks, including Gadar 2, Soorma and Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat. With a deep respect for Punjabi literary traditions, the brothers are passionate about weaving this rich cultural heritage into their music, creating songs that resonate with both tradition and modernity.
Reflecting on their reality show experiences, the duo notes, “Reality shows provide instant recognition and help you build a connection with the audience, but the real journey begins after that.”
This exposure also gave them an opportunity to work alongside some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Shankar Mahadevan, Diljit Dosanjh and Mika Singh. Shehnaz proudly recalls a special moment from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa when Salman Khan gifted him a turquoise (feroza) bracelet, which he now carries as a lucky mascot. “I haven’t removed this bracelet ever,” he says.
Working closely as vocalists and collaborators, Shehnaz and Sahil admit they do have their share of differences. “All the time,” they laugh, “but we resolve them quickly because our bond and shared passion for music always come first.”
Shehnaz recently teamed up with Punjabi superstar Ninja for the song, Heer. “Ninja is like our big brother,” he says fondly. “The idea came spontaneously— one day I was singing Heer while he was playing the algoza, and we thought, why not create a modern rendition of this classic? The song has been receiving so much love, and we are truly grateful.”
Speaking about the differences between the Bollywood and Punjabi music industries, the brothers note, “Bollywood performances are often meticulously designed and planned, whereas the Punjabi industry offers a lot more freedom and liberty to the artistes.”
Shehnaz and Sahil have grown up listening to legendary voices like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali and Sardool Sikander. “Listening is learning, and we have learn a lot from following the legends.”
They are next looking at releasing their track that’s based on baba Buleh Shah’s kalam.
Lifestyle