Coke Studio’s rendition of Ahmed Rushdie’s iconic classic, Ko Ko Korina has literally been the most trending topic in the country ever since it released three days. The song received immense hate and trolling on social media and prominent personalities including Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazaari and Senator Sherry Rehman, expressed their distaste for the song on social media.
Shireen Mazaari’s Twitter fued with Ko Ko Korina‘s lead singer Momina Mustehsan was literally the cherry on top and was all Pakistanis could talk about Monday night.
Until now, Ahad Raza Mir, maintained his silence on the matter apart from a single tweet he posted on the day the song released, in which he thanked his fans for “the tremendous amount of love and appreciation” he received.
Thank you to everyone, especially my fans for the tremendous amount of love and appreciation for my song in Coke Studio. Can’t begin to tell you how much it meant to me and for what an honor it was to perform in this years season. Love you guys!
— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 20, 2018
However, the budding singer and actor has finally broken his silence and addressed the debate in a series of tweets.
“I am honoured that I got to cover Ko Ko Korina,” Ahad began. “Some people enjoyed it and some not to so much, which is fair. Look at how we love to appreciate and criticise. It shows our nation is alive. Even after hearing the song, pun intended.”
I am honoured that I got to cover Ko Ko Korina. Some people enjoyed it and some not to so much, which is fair. Look at how we love to appreciate and criticize. It shows our nation is alive. Even after hearing the song ? Pun intended.
— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 23, 2018
He continued, “I loved the way everyone got together to talk about the song. I’ve seen all the memes and I have to say they’re hilarious. Just shows the fantastic sense of humour of this nation. Trust me I take it all very positively.”
I loved the way everyone got together to talk about the song.
Ive seen all the memes and I have to say they’re hilarious. Just shows the fantastic sense of humour of this nation. Trust me I take it all very positively.— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 23, 2018
Ahad said that despite everything he is very grateful.
“I am very grateful. Grateful to people like HSY who openly appreciated our efforts and has always been a supportive light in our industry. I am thankful to Momina who dared to work with a newbie to Pakistani music,” Ahad wrote.
I am also very grateful.
Grateful to people like HSY who openly appreciated our efforts and has always been a supportive light in our industry. I am thankful to Momina who dared to work with a newbie to Pakistani music.— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 23, 2018
Ahad then shared a monologue on Coke Studio and its various achievements and how lucky he is to be part of the platform.
Most importantly I want to thank CocaCola who gives opportunity to youth, to new faces, who promotes experimentation which uur country needs and who dares to do things in their own style. Coke is almost a pioneer in taking risks in Pakistan. Lets not forget its COKE Studio.
— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 23, 2018
Coke studio is here because of them. Dont forget about all the amazing music they have given you throughout the years.
— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 23, 2018
Addressing the elephant in the room, which is of course, Dr Mazaari’s comments on the song, Ahad said, “I am also pleasantly surprised that the minister of human rights noticed out attempt, although she did not have very nice things to say, I’m still happy she noticed. Just a piece of advice: better choice of words next time Ms Minister.”
I am also pleansantly surpired that the minister of human rights noticed out attempt, although she did not have very nice things to say, I’m still happy she noticed.
Just a peice of advice: better choice of words next time Ms. Minister.— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 23, 2018
Speaking directly to Dr Mazaari, Ahad wrote, “Ms Minister you represent a party that wants to bring change, support youth and new ideas in Pakistan. The reach and duty of Human Rights promotes a caring approach to life. Don’t “massacre” its meaning. You represent human rights in our country. Think about what that means.”
Ms. Minister you represent a party that wants to bring change, supports youth and new ideas in Pakistan. The reach and duty of Human Rights promotes a caring approach to life. Dont “massacre” its meaning. You represent human rights in our country. Think about what that means.
— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 23, 2018
Ahad rounded up his arguments saying that people should learn to be kind, even in their criticism.
“Really all I’m trying to say is that we should learn to be kind. Even in our criticism,” he wrote. “Trust me it goes a long way. Our song was a cover, and a cover is meant to deviate from the original. Its not supposed to sound or feel the same. And at the end of the day…it’s a song.”
Really all I’m trying to say is that we should learn to be kind. Even in our criticism. Trust me it goes a long way. Our song was a cover, and a cover is meant to deviate from the original. Its not supposed to sound or feel the same. And at the end of the day…it’s a song.
— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 23, 2018
He also asked the audiences to respect the artists, before concluding his comments on the matter by thanking all those who supported him and appreciated his song.
Also lets respect our artists. All of them. Everytime an artists works…they take a risk. Not for themselves…but for you. Trust me when I say we work hard for YOU. Not for ourselves. Want to critisize.. do it with love. Works better and definelty doesn’t hurt as much.
— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 23, 2018
“To everyone that appreciated the song, I am honored and now will work twice as hard to gain the confidence of my critics. Love you as a nation,” he concluded.
So lets remember something. If we can come together to hate something, we can do the same to love. Take that however you’d like.
Lastly to everyone that appreciated the song, I am honored and now will work twice as hard to gain the confidence of my critics.
Love you as a nation.— Ahad Raza Mir (@ahadrazamir) October 23, 2018
Earlier in the day, several members of the Pakistan entertainment industry, including Ahad’s close friend and alleged beau Sajal Aly, lended support to the singers and asked for people to be more forgiving.
Taking to Twitter, Sajal wrote, “Itni nafrat lay kar kahan jaogay? QABAR MAI?”
Itni nafrat lay kar kahan jaogay? QABAR MAI ? #stopthehate #spreadthelove #khudakakhoofkarain ??
— Sajal Ali (@Iamsajalali) October 23, 2018
In another post shared to her Instagram stories, Sajal said, “Three days and counting and its all about Ko Ko Korina! Love it or hate it, your call but you don’t have to go town insulting someone’s effort. It is only a song – sing along or change the channel. We as a country have far more important issues to debate.”
Fashion designer and talk show host, Hassan Shehryar Yasin, also said that “Coke Studio’s Ko Ko korina is not nearly as bad as I’m hearing people say it is. It’s young and Ahad Raza Mir and Momina Mustehsan sound and look like they are having fun singing it. It’s some happiness on TV. I’m all for people wanting to try and give their best.”
Just heard #cokestudio Ko Ko korina and it’s not nearly as bad as I’m hearing people say it is. It’s young and @ahadrazamir and @MominaMustehsan sound and look like they are having fun singing it. It’s some happiness on TV. Im all for people wanting to try and give their best.
— Hassan Sheheryar (@HSYCOUTUREKING) October 22, 2018