What Inspired Ali Sethi To Write And Sing Popular Pakistani Song Pasoori

The song’s lyrics and melody profoundly influenced the audience, showcasing a blend of diverse cultures that contributed to its widespread success across borders. The recent inclusion of the song’s remake in a film further attests to its enduring popularity.

The song Pasoori dropped on February 7, 2022, features vocals from Pakistani singer Ali Sethi and Shae Gill. Upon release, it quickly gained popularity, swiftly making its mark among listeners and rapidly going viral on the internet.

Ali Sethi, along with Fazal Abbas, penned the lyrics of Pasoori. In an interview, Ali shared that the inspiration struck during a journey from Faizabad to Lahore when he encountered the Punjabi phrase on the back of a truck: ‘Aag lavaan teri maajobti nu.’ These poignant words catalysed the creation of the song Pasoori.

Pasoori gained rapid popularity in the social media realm, finding extensive use in Instagram reels and various videos. Its success is evident, boasting over 699 million views, showcasing its widespread appeal and influence.

The term Pasoori, rooted in Punjabi, holds dual meanings in Hindi and Urdu — ‘hesitating/difficult’ and ‘hasty/eager.’ In the context of music, Pasoori emerged as the sixth song in Coke Studio Pakistan’s season 14, debuting on YouTube on February 7. Remarkably, it secured the distinction of being the first Pakistani Coke Studio song to enter Spotify’s ‘Viral 50 Global’ chart.

The song’s popularity surged over time, making history in August 2022. Pasoori became the sole Coke Studio track in its 14-year history to amass over 300 million views. By October, it surpassed the 400 million mark, further solidifying its exceptional success.

Pasoori has attained the distinction of being the most-viewed song in the history of Coke Studio. With its fusion of diverse cultures and soulful melody, the song resonates deeply with audiences. Notably, Pakistani social activist Sheema Kirmani made an appearance in the song. Furthermore, the remake of Pasoori featured Kartik Aryan and Kiara Advani in the film Satya Prem Ki Katha.