Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Clarifies Incident of Confrontation with Disciple

Mumbai: A recent video capturing Pakistani playback singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, renowned for hits like ‘Bol Na Halke Halke,’ ‘Main Jahaan Rahoon,’ ‘Teri Ore,’ and ‘Dil Toh Bachcha Hai,’ has surfaced, revealing an altercation with one of his students. In the footage shared on X, the singer is seen apparently rebuking a man vigorously, identified as his disciple, wielding a shoe. Despite the apparent aggression, Khan downplayed the incident, emphasizing it as a private matter between a teacher and a student.

The video depicts the singer slapping and striking the man while inquiring about a bottle, with the man pleading ignorance, stating, “I have no idea about it.”

In response, Khan issued a clarification video on a microblogging site, featuring the man who was subjected to the confrontation.

In the video, Khan explained, “This concerns a private matter between Shagird (disciple) and Ustad (teacher). He is like my kid. This is the nature of the relationship between a mentor and his follower. I express love when a disciple performs well and impose consequences for transgressions.”

The singer mentioned that he had apologized to the man after the incident. The man, who endured the confrontation, clarified, stating that he had misplaced a bottle containing holy water.

“There was no ill intention behind his actions. He is like my father. He loves us a lot. The individual spreading this video is attempting to defame my ustad (teacher),” the man asserted in the video.