‘I want pain to stay in my voice’: Afsana Khan

Punjabi singer Afsana Khan says she wants the pain in her voice to remain alive, as it brings depth and emotion to her music.

“There has been pain in my voice since childhood. I want that pain to stay and reflect in my singing,” she said.

Afsana believes her struggles growing up have shaped her voice. “I have experienced pain since I was a child. My father passed away when I was very young, so I could not learn music from him. My mother worked multiple jobs to support us. Life was very tough,” she recalled.

Now adorned with gold, Afsana is quick to point out the hardship behind her success. “People just see the gold I wear, but not the struggle behind it. It has not been an easy journey. I want this pain to stay with me and come through in my songs,” said Afsana, who began her career on reality shows like Voice of Punjab and Rising Star.

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She is candid when responding to critics. “It hurts when people judge me while sitting comfortably at home. I have never wished harm on anyone — why would someone wish bad for me?”

Afsana also shared that she has performed songs without charging a fee. “Many thought I would flop, but my songs eventually found their audience,” she said.

Known for her powerful voice, Afsana considers it a blessing. “I love listening to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Richa Sharma,” she added.

A contestant on Bigg Boss 15, Afsana revealed it had been a dream to appear on the show. “I once told my husband, Saajz, that I’d get a call from Bigg Boss — and I did. People assumed I was aggressive, but I’m a calm person. I just speak the truth, no matter the cost.”

She was evicted from the show after a troubling incident in which she attempted to harm herself.

Deeply attached to her husband, Afsana said she rarely performs without him. “Wherever I go, I take him with me. I’m a very emotional person.”

On singing emotional, pain-filled lyrics, she said, “You need to feel the lyrics before singing them. I want people to feel connected to my voice — as if I’m telling their story.”

Afsana had a close bond with the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, whom she considered a brother. “He wanted me to make all the arrangements for his wedding. I met him just a week before his death. We had dinner together, and he kept telling me I had to handle everything for the wedding,” she said, breaking down in tears.

Moosewala’s death on May 29, 2022, was a devastating blow. “It was a huge shock. I lose myself in thoughts whenever I think of him. He was like my brother — my world,” she said.

Moosewala had initially planned to get married in April 2022 but postponed it to November after losing the Punjab Assembly elections. After his death, Afsana stepped up to fulfill many of his pending professional commitments.

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The 30-year-old singer shares a strong bond with composer B Praak and lyricist Jaani, with whom she has delivered several hit songs. “They are like brothers to me. Working with them has always been a joy. Songs like Ki Hoya, Jaani Ve Jaani, Mere Kol, and others have all been hits,” she said.

Afsana also shares a fondness for Delhi. “I keep coming to Delhi for shows. I absolutely love the food here,” she said with a smile.