Stebin Ben on 'Saadgi': Stepping into qawwali space 'exciting & fulfilling'
Synopsis
Stebin Ben’s 'Saadgi' is a rare mainstream crossover into qawwali — built on Saba Akbarabadi’s classical poetry, scored by Raees and Zain-Sam, and released on World Music Day. For a singer known for Bollywood pop, this is a deliberate pivot toward devotional depth, backed by T-Series’ full distribution reach.
Key Takeaways
Stebin Ben released 'Saadgi' , a modern qawwali, on 21 June 2025 — World Music Day.
The track features poetry by celebrated Urdu poet Saba Akbarabadi , with additional lyrics by Vikki Nagar .
Music is composed by the duo Raees and Zain-Sam ; the video is directed by Arjun Mukherjee of Noor House .
The song is presented by T-Series and Bhushan Kumar , streaming on all major platforms.
Stebin described the qawwali foray as “exciting and deeply fulfilling” and called the track’s poetry “incredibly pure.”
Singer Stebin Ben has ventured into new creative territory with his latest release 'Saadgi', a modern qawwali that he describes as both “exciting and deeply fulfilling” to record. The track dropped on 21 June 2025, coinciding with World Music Day, and is now streaming across all major platforms under the T-Series banner, presented by Bhushan Kumar.
What 'Saadgi' Is About
Rooted in themes of longing, devotion, and simplicity, 'Saadgi' preserves the soul of classic qawwali while filtering it through a contemporary sensibility. The track draws on the timeless poetry of celebrated Urdu poet Saba Akbarabadi, with additional lyrics penned by Vikki Nagar. The music has been composed by the duo Raees and Zain-Sam.
The Team Behind the Track
Beyond lending his voice, Stebin Ben also features in the song’s music video, directed by Arjun Mukherjee of Noor House. The production brings together a blend of classical poetry and modern visual storytelling, a combination that has become increasingly sought-after in India’s independent music scene.
Stebin Ben in His Own Words
Speaking about the song, Stebin said, “The moment I heard Saadgi, I felt an instant connection to it. There’s something incredibly pure about its poetry and melody that speaks straight to the heart. As a singer, it’s rare to come across a song that allows you to express emotion in such an honest and soulful way.”
He added, “Exploring the qawwali space through this track has been both exciting and deeply fulfilling for me. I hope listeners connect with the sincerity and emotion of Saadgi and make it a part of their own journey.”
World Music Day Release
Stebin announced the track to his Instagram followers ahead of the release, writing: “Hey guys ❤️ World Music Day is around the corner and I’m super excited to bring you something special, my rendition of ‘Saadgi’. A song close to my heart, Can’t wait for you to hear it…#Saadgi Releasing on 21st June.” The timing was deliberate — aligning a qawwali release with World Music Day signals an intent to reach beyond his established pop audience and tap into listeners drawn to devotional and Sufi-inflected sounds.
With T-Series’ distribution muscle behind it, 'Saadgi' is well-positioned to reach a wide audience — and will test whether mainstream Bollywood-pop listeners are ready to embrace a more classical, introspective sound from one of Hindi music’s popular voices.
Point of View
Which lowers the risk of alienating traditionalists while still offering something new. The World Music Day release date is smart positioning. Whether the song finds traction beyond the singer’s existing fanbase will be the real measure of whether this crossover has legs.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stebin Ben’s new song 'Saadgi' about?
'Saadgi' is a modern qawwali built around themes of longing, devotion, and simplicity. It features the classical poetry of Urdu poet Saba Akbarabadi alongside additional lyrics by Vikki Nagar, and preserves the essence of traditional qawwali while presenting it through a contemporary lens.
When was 'Saadgi' released and where can it be heard?
'Saadgi' was released on 21 June 2025, coinciding with World Music Day. It is currently streaming on all major music platforms under the T-Series label, presented by Bhushan Kumar.
Who made the music and video for 'Saadgi'?
The music was composed by the duo Raees and Zain-Sam. The music video was directed by Arjun Mukherjee of Noor House, and features Stebin Ben himself on screen.
Why did Stebin Ben choose to explore qawwali with this track?
Stebin Ben said he felt an instant connection to the song the first time he heard it, describing its poetry and melody as ‘incredibly pure.’ He called exploring the qawwali space ‘exciting and deeply fulfilling,’ noting it is rare to find a song that allows such honest emotional expression.
Who is Saba Akbarabadi, featured in 'Saadgi'?
Saba Akbarabadi was a celebrated Urdu poet whose work is considered part of the classical tradition. His poetry forms the core of 'Saadgi,' lending the track its literary and devotional depth.
