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Updated 11 Feb, 2021

Days after the release of the PSL 6 anthem, Twitter has finally come to the defence of Naseebo Lal, a veteran singer who sang 'Groove Mera' along with Aima Baig and Young Stunners.

When the PSL anthem was released on February 7, there were mixed reactions. Some people loved the song and the mix of a traditional powerhouse (Lal) and rising stars (Baig and the Young Stunners), while others did not like it at all.

A few days after the anthem was released, a video began circulating on social media of Lal crying. In the video she speaks about never being given a chance to sing an anthem or song like this before and thanked people for their comments.

The video weighed on Twitter's collective conscience and some users began apologising to Lal.

Others thanked Zulfikar Khan for including Lal in this year's anthem and ensuring regional representation in the song.

Actor Faysal Quraishi said Lal would rock a stadium with her groove and high notes.

Fellow actor Adnan Siddiqui called on people to respect artists and their work. "It’s very easy to be keyboard warriors and shred someone’s hard work to pieces. How ungrateful to forget so conveniently all the melodious songs Naseebo Lal has given us," he wrote.

Actor Ahmed Ali Butt also came to Lal's defence and posted about the issue on his Instagram stories. “For people who don’t know, Naseebo Lal is a Pakistan folk singer with over 30 years of singing experience. She never go the limelight that she deserved because most of her songs were during the “raunchy” Punjabi film era,” he wrote. “But that does not change the fact that she is a Pakistani folk legend with hundreds of songs to her credit.”

He went on to say that ‘Groove Mera’ is a great song and bold step by the PCB. “All the people making fun of her pronunciation are the same people who like UK or Canadian Punjabi singers. So shut up!”

Butt said people should be proud of their nation’s talent. “God knows you didn’t contribute in their success or hard work so the least you can do is be respectful towards them.”

Another user said people shouldn't judge Lal on her previous songs, which might not be to their taste.

Part of the reason why the conversation on the PSL anthem is still being had is because cricketer Shoaib Akhtar released a "review" of the PSL anthem in which he bashed the singers and creators of the song.

Many people said his comments were below the belt, including celebrities Anoushey Ashraf and Farhan Saeed.

In a comment on Instagram, Saeed said, "This song will be a winner in the stadiums, mark it! Well done Zulfiqar J Khan, Aima Baig and of course Naseebo Lal. Great effort!"

But the initial response wasn't all that bad.

Fatima Bhutto commented on the song when it was released and said she loved it, especially Lal's part.

Singer Meesha Shafi also singled out Lal in her praise.

Cricketer Wasim Akram said Lal brought groove back to the stumps.

Regardless of whether you like the song or not, degrading someone and their work is never okay. You can dislike 'Groove Mera' and say that without bashing Lal, Baig or the Young Stunners. Not liking something doesn't give you the licence to be cruel.

Comments

Sid Feb 11, 2021 05:48pm
I don’t think we are against naseebo lal or any artist, they are all great singers even brilliant , song is nice but expectations were quite high even so high for a PSL song that some people expect even better, more better. And we all know how good singers we have in our country so to be fair yes if they expect the finest than they deserved finest.
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CringeCop Feb 11, 2021 05:52pm
Nobody is being cruel, stop over exaggerating. Mollycoddling of mediocrity has led to the horrible quality of art we have to endure here
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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Feb 11, 2021 06:15pm
The criticism was not directed towards any particular artist or individual. It is PCB (Punjab Cricket Board) who is responsible for this disaster. PSL (Pakistan Super League) is our "National" brand and there was absolutely nothing "National" about this song. To promote our national brand with such a below power anthem is absolutely unacceptable. We are competing with top leagues around the world. We cannot afford such blunders. PCB should take the criticism positively and improve in the next edition of PSL. For Naseebo Lal sahiba. The nation praises your contributions towards our music industry. Thanks for your contribution madam. Long Live Pakistan.
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haris Feb 11, 2021 06:19pm
Let Shoabi bhai compose and sing the PSL anthem.
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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani Feb 11, 2021 07:05pm
I'm sure with more efforts we could have produced much better and meaningful PSL 6 anthem. Singers have only done what they were told to do. Like many, I am also disappointed. Better luck next time! (Note: I have been advocating my impartial views for over 4 years against injustice, inequality, corruption, oppression and nepotism without supporting any of the political parties. My family, country and people's well-being are far more important to me than anything else. Please be aware of fake IDs!).
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Mansoor K. Feb 11, 2021 07:19pm
See that is the core issue with Pakistani society. They are not capable of accepting or acknowledging constructive criticism, and when someone calls a spade a spade, they would rush to the rescue of mediocracy.
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Amir Feb 11, 2021 07:30pm
@adnanSiddique- hey bud, go easy on your jet-black dye...esp when you don't have a strong chin or jaw-line.
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Mujeeb Feb 11, 2021 07:59pm
I think all artists, including Naseebo Lal, did fine in this song. It is, however, a bad production.
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TZaman Feb 11, 2021 08:23pm
Singers are good. But the song itself, the music, the tempo... Something is amiss.
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Chrís Dăn Feb 11, 2021 09:47pm
Voila these two guys have a unique sense of humour.
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Parvez Feb 11, 2021 11:39pm
I thought the anthem was brilliant ..... we seriously need to lighten up a bit.
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ExPat Feb 12, 2021 02:24am
Adnan Siddiqui and Faisal Qureshi should watch the whole video first. Shoaib Akhtar didn't say anything wrong.
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Syed Feb 12, 2021 03:49am
@Amir ... whatever dude! He is an elderly actor despite of his lisping disability... you are nobody to tell him to use lighter shade of dye.
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Zulfiqar Feb 12, 2021 04:19am
I don’t know who these people are who are criticizing this beautiful energetic rendition. I’m really happy that Naseebo lal is part of it. It would not have been the same without her magnificent voice. All the singers did a great job. This song will rock PSL. Wish I could attend a match just hear it on loudspeaker
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Imran Feb 12, 2021 06:43am
Come on! for Pakistan and the country that gave us Coke Studio's and a host of great talent the effort for this anthem was well below expectations.
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Sami Feb 12, 2021 06:58am
No criticism to the singers but it was just a bad music and production. It’s like a great actor chose to act in a bad film production.
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Rami Feb 12, 2021 08:21am
Regrets there are many, no one learns from it in Pakistan, sadly!
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Akil Akhtar Feb 12, 2021 08:22am
Her kind of voice did not suit the anthem....
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GHAZANFAR ABBAS Feb 12, 2021 09:28am
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan I totally agree. Excellent effort. Could have been 200% better if at least one line of other 4 main languages could have been narrated as well. Punjabi portion is just too long in there. Having said that the song and its singer(s) are really good. I hope, wish and desire PCB listens and amends by adding few more regional languages lines.
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Babar Feb 12, 2021 09:33am
This is by far the best PSL anthem so far.....
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DG Feb 12, 2021 10:13am
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan, PSL is a weird league, almost an entire nation fights over a song every year. Why do you guys think that you will compete with IPL with a better theme song? No one looks forward to an annual IPL theme here in India, people hardly listen to it or even debate about it. It's the on-field action that matters.
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Usman Gul Feb 12, 2021 10:21am
There is no need to be emotional. We are being criticized by our own people. Sometimes criticism bring positive results. So let not let down the people who criticize the song. They might have their own perspective on looking at the things.
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NK Feb 12, 2021 11:07am
I don't understand the critics of naseebo laal in this song. Never been the fan of her high pitched voice but her voice suited perfectly with this kind of funky celebration song. Aima baig was brilliant too, just the rap part I found a bit underwhelming. Hats off to Xulfi for a cracker party song perfect for psl. Don't bring extreme patriotism in everything. Chill and enjoy the song. However I do agree that folk artists from sindh, kpk and baluchistan be given chance too. Like fakhir did duo with Baruch singer for QG and it was great. Yes ali zafar did great but time to move on guys. Start accepting change for once.
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Shahid Mahmood Feb 12, 2021 11:07am
Why is it so big an issue that a few tasteless people dislike the Naseebo Lal sung PSL anthem? Each and every song has likes and dislikes too. Even Rahat Fatih Ali's "Zaroori tha" has half a million dislikes while been viewed one billion times on Youtube. I liked and enjoyed the anthem and appreciate that a legend like Naseebo gave it her voice.
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Aliya Shabbir Feb 12, 2021 12:32pm
I think it's superb, a brilliant idea as compared to traditional songs, carries the emotions one needs during a match, i love the naseebo lal part the most and wish she had been given a bigger share in the song.
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Shagufta Aziz Feb 12, 2021 03:12pm
No one is criticising the singers. It is the anthem developers who are being criticized. Hopeless song. Not catchy. Not good. Sorry
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isha Feb 12, 2021 06:15pm
This industry and its celebs never tried to own her as a fellow artist for years and she survived without any support and now have suddenly decided to come to her defense when she no longer needs it
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Adeel Nazir Feb 12, 2021 10:08pm
I hope this project gets successful and Pakistan alao succedes in the genre of historical dramas and peoduction
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sarim alvi Feb 13, 2021 10:29am
It is not about supporting or not supporting the singers and the music and song done for PSL What needs to be looked at is, that does it do justice to the BRAND PSL and its sponsor HBL or not. There is no thin line line between crass and class. If This song is suppose to enhance Equity for both Brands. It doesn't. IT doesn't click with the masses and definitely doesn't attract the classes. Banking is not funny and laughable business. People take their money seriously and wants to be associated with sophistication ad class. This song is not just horrible to hear , it is a pain to watch and irritating to the ears
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AZAM AKBAR Feb 13, 2021 02:18pm
All the songs on national level must be in national language Urdu. Keep ethnicity far away from the songs.
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