Ashhar Alam
Dhurandhar has given the music industry yet another standout talent, Khan Saab, whose real name is Imran Khan. His song “Dil Pe Zakhm Khate Hain” is topping the global charts. The young singer is being celebrated as a whiff of fresh air in the music and film industries, who was discovered by Aditya Dhar.
Music buffs are thanking Aditya Dhar for giving a chance to talented and yet underestimated regional singers like Khan saab, who was otherwise known in the Punjabi music industry.
Khan Saab’s music blends traditional Sufi elements with contemporary Punjabi music and he is being called Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan of India.
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Singer Khan Saab in his village
As such Khan Saab, 31, considers himself as a follower of the legendary Sufi singer of Pakistan,
With Dhurandhar 2 Revenge, Music composer Shashwat Sachdev’s reimagining of the 1977 qawwali “Maqadah” into “Jaan Se Guzarte Hain” finds its true strength in Khan Saab’s voice.
His rendition carries intensity, transforming the track into an emotionally charged experience. A viral moment from the Mumbai music launch captured the scale of his impact, with Ranveer Singh repeatedly requesting him to perform the iconic lines live, an instance that underscored how deeply his voice resonated with both the audience and the film’s team.
Born in Bhandal Dona village in Kapurthala, Punjab, and raised in Jalandhar, Khan Saab’s musical roots run deep. Inspired by the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, whom he regards as his Ustad, he began training in music at the age of five.
His grounding in Sufi and classical traditions is evident in his singing style. However, his journey was marked by hardships. Financial constraints forced him to leave college midway, and he took on small jobs to support himself while holding on to his passion for music.
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Singer Khan SaabHe has also collaborated with several independent artists and Punjabi music labels, steadily building a strong digital presence with millions of streams across platforms.
A turning point came when Punjabi singer Gary Sandhu recognised his talent and helped him re-enter the music industry.
Sandhu gave him the name “Khan Saab.” His breakthrough arrived with the 2018 Punjabi hit “Zindagi Tere Naal,” which crossed 200 million views on YouTube and established him as a star.
Over time, Khan Saab’s emotive singing drew comparisons with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, once considered a bold claim, but now widely accepted among his growing fanbase.
His recreation of “Dil Pe Zakhm Khate Hain” for Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge further strengthened this perception. The track, originally part of Nusrat’s early repertoire, has been reintroduced to a new generation through the film, where it plays a pivotal role in enhancing a key cinematic moment.
In a recent interview with Faridoon Shahryar, Khan Saab spoke candidly about his journey and the overwhelming response following the Dhurandhar 2 music launch. He shared that his rise into the spotlight was unexpected and driven purely by passion.
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Singer Khan Saab with his parents
“Main dil se gaata hoon, aur shayad wahi logon tak pahunch gaya,” he said, emphasising that his focus has always been on honesty in music rather than chasing trends. He also acknowledged how the viral performance at the launch event brought him into mainstream attention, calling it a turning point in his career.
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Today, Khan Saab stands at a unique crossroads of tradition and modern appeal. With his dedication, emotional depth, and strong musical lineage, he continues to carry forward a timeless legacy while carving a distinct identity in the evolving music landscape.
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