Pakistani singer and songwriter Humail Rajpoot has sparked a lively conversation online after claiming that Pakistan’s Coke Studio is superior to its Indian counterpart and surprisingly many Indian listeners agreed.
In a recent Instagram reel, the emerging artist and digital creator expressed his disapproval after watching a song from the latest season of Coke Studio India. Rajpoot referred to an Indian podcast in which singer Shilpa Rao was asked why Coke Studio Pakistan outshines the Indian version. According to him, while Rao couldn’t offer a clear answer, he could sum it up in one line: “We do not have Anup Jain, that’s why our Coke Studio is way better.”
Rajpoot then criticized the lyrical quality of the Indian song he was sent, highlighting the track titled Aise Aise Kaise Waise Jaise Jaise. “First of all, what are these lyrics,” he asked. “Who approved this kind of content? I’m genuinely surprised that Coke Studio India released such a track.”
He didn’t hold back on his broader concerns about the music scene, saying, “We also have a few people in Pakistan who don’t even know the scale of a song while performing on stage. I know people will backfire at me for this, but all I care about is music. I fear for the respect of music.”
In the caption of his reel, Rajpoot elaborated on his views, calling some new singers “commercial puppets” and accusing them of lacking true artistry. “There’s no art at all,” he wrote.
Despite the critical tone, Rajpoot’s remarks resonated with many Indian listeners. One user commented, “Humein bhi nahi pata, hum kaise, aise, kaise, waise jhelte hai (we also don’t know how we deal with it),” echoing the criticism humorously.
It is worth mentioning here that renowned Indian playback singer Shilpa Rao has previously spoken positively about Coke Studio Pakistan. In an earlier interview, she praised the show’s commitment to musical authenticity and innovation. Rao, who performed in Coke Studio Pakistan Season 9 alongside Noori in the hit track Paar Chanaa De, noted that Pakistan treats the show as a flagship annual production, unlike India, where it is considered just one of many projects.
With over 100,000 followers on Instagram, Humail Rajpoot is known not only for his music but also for his candid commentary, often described in his bio as “giving reality checks.” His latest remarks have certainly struck a chord, even across the border.