ISLAMABAD – October 22, 2025:
Rising actor, model, and digital content creator Khaqan Shahnawaz has stirred controversy with his recent remarks about iconic singer Atif Aslam, accusing him of copying content creators’ ideas without giving them credit.
In a candid conversation on a YouTube podcast, Khaqan expressed his reservations about Atif Aslam’s foray into humorous short-form content, which the singer has been actively sharing on Instagram in recent months.
While acknowledging that Aslam’s videos have been well received by fans, Khaqan said he believes the singer is replicating existing content created by younger, lesser-known influencers.
“I have no personal issue with Atif bhai making videos,” Khaqan clarified. “But if you’re inspired by someone else’s idea, the least you can do is acknowledge the original creator.”
According to Khaqan, content creators spend significant time and effort brainstorming and executing creative ideas. When high-profile celebrities adopt these ideas without credit, it diminishes the recognition and visibility that emerging creators work hard to earn.
He added that the public may not notice the resemblance, but fellow content creators can easily spot where certain formats and styles originate from. “People are just happy their favorite singer is making entertaining videos, but we know exactly where those concepts come from,” he said.
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Khaqan also mentioned that he would admire Atif Aslam more if he developed original comedic content, which would demonstrate his versatility beyond music.
The comments have sparked mixed reactions online, with some users supporting Khaqan’s call for credit, while others argue that content creation is inherently derivative and open to interpretation.
As of now, Atif Aslam has not responded to the claims.
