Singer Khan Saab has opened up on why classic Indian melodies continue to resonate with younger listeners who never lived through the era that produced them — and why he believes Sufi music will outlast every passing trend.

The Timeless Appeal of Old Music

Speaking about his work on the album Dhurandhar, which centres on nostalgia and the recreation of classic tracks, Khan Saab said the staying power of older compositions comes down to their soul. 'Music from earlier generations had a timeless soul. Whether it was Mohammed Rafi Sahab or Lata Ji, their era created immortal melodies. Such music can never disappear,' he said.

He acknowledged that musical trends are in constant flux, but argued that the core of great music remains unchanged across generations. 'Trends will keep changing. Today's music will also become old one day, and newer styles will emerge after that. The presentation changes with every generation, but the essence of music remains the same,' he explained.

Why Sufi Music Stands Apart

Khan Saab drew a distinction between transient popular styles and the more enduring tradition of Sufi music. 'In our industry, only the plating changes; the ingredients remain the same. But one thing will never die — Sufi music. Inshallah, Sufi music will always live on,' he said, concluding his thoughts on the subject.

This perspective is notable coming from a singer who has built his reputation at the intersection of Punjabi folk and Sufi traditions — two genres that have repeatedly demonstrated crossover appeal across age groups.

Recreating 'Aari Aari' for Dhurandhar

Khan Saab was also asked about the process of recreating Aari Aari, originally a major hit by Bombay Rockers and a song with strong nostalgic associations for many listeners. He said he did not approach the project with anxiety about matching the original.

'Honestly, I would not call it pressure. When the team approached me, I focused more on understanding the composition and the feel of the song. I have immense respect and love for Bombay Rockers, and I stay in touch with them as well,' he said.

He also candidly admitted that he was not very familiar with the song before work on Dhurandhar began. The process, he recalled, unfolded organically. 'When I went to dub another track, Shashwat Bhai told me that my Punjabi folk touch would suit this composition perfectly. He asked me to create a scratch version. I recorded it very quickly. They guided me line by line, and within a few minutes, the scratch was done. Everything happened very naturally,' Khan Saab shared.

What the Album Signals

The Dhurandhar album's emphasis on classic recreations reflects a broader trend in the Indian music industry, where nostalgia-driven content has found a reliable audience across streaming platforms. For Khan Saab, the project appears to have been less a commercial calculation and more a natural extension of his artistic sensibility — rooted in folk and Sufi traditions that predate the playlist era entirely.

Whether the album's nostalgic framing translates into sustained engagement with younger listeners remains to be seen, but Khan Saab's conviction about music's enduring core suggests he is betting on depth over novelty.