Singer Atif Aslam will lead a new Hindi song “Hijr” in the soundtrack composed by Nandhagopan V. for the upcoming Malayalam romantic drama movie Haal, slated to release later this year.

Aslam says in a statement to Rolling Stone India about working on his upcoming song for Haal, “Always fun to sing a beautiful composition and meaningful lyrics. The song is contemporary and I hope the film will be as amazing as its music.”

The announcement marks the first South Indian film music project for the Pakistani artist. Although Aslam had intermittently lent his voice to Punjabi film songs like “Jee Ve Sohneya Jee” and “Bura Haal” in the last few years, it’s a new path for the artist since he sang on 2018’s “O Saathi.”

One of the reasons behind the publicity behind bringing Aslam to sing for Haal is the Bombay High Court’s 2023 ruling that rejected a plea to ban Pakistani artists. The Supreme Court of India too rejected the plea in November 2023. Presently, however, private associations such as the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association are still adhering by their 2016 resolution to bar Pakistani artists from working in Indian productions.

Aslam joining hands with the makers of Haal, including composer Nandhagopan V., is of significance at this juncture. The composer says he wanted Aslam because the latter’s songs have been an “integral part” of life. Haal also marks the composing debut for Nandhagopan, who has previously sung in Malayalam movies like Luca, Kho Kho and Kasargold.

While the song’s placement within Haal’s narrative is yet to be revealed, Nandhagopan says “Hijr” was the first track he wrote for the film. “I can tell you that this will be one-of-a-kind romantic emotional melody […] For this, I have used a mix of Western and Eastern instruments as well as weaving some ethnic, electronic textures along with an addition of ambient soundscapes,” the composer adds.

It came about as he and lead actor Shane Nigam had Aslam’s hit “Aadat” on repeat in their free time together. Nandhagopan adds, “It so happened that the initial composition of the track was naturally in Hindi. Instantly, both of us just thought how great it would be to have Atif sing our song. It was initially just a wish. However, when I was done with the composition, I could not think of anyone better than Atif.”

While recording outside of India, Nandhagopan says he and Haal director Prashanth Vijayakumar gave Aslam a brief on the film’s storyline and immediately began recording. A conversation during a break led the composer to set “Hijr” in the key of C sharp minor, which was incidentally the same key as “Aadat.” The composer adds, “He was very patient and there was a lot of give and take. Of course, he’s added his signature vibratos, which has worked magic to the song. It was truly an enriching recording experience.”

Nandhagopan also clarifies the idea of a Hindi song in a Malayalam film – specifically pointing out how Haal is set in Kozhikode, a city that has a “rich influence of Hindi and Urdu languages.” He adds, “Given this cultural backdrop, the film naturally called for the inclusion of a Hindi song.” The rest of the soundtrack, according to the composer, features everything from romantic songs to “culturally-rooted rap” and more. “I think the Haal’s soundtrack will have something to offer for everyone,” he says.