The legendary legacy of the late maestro Bashir Ahmed took centre stage in a poignant episode of Pakistani Idol, broadcast on Geo TV. In a special segment themed “Love and Friendship”, the show welcomed a distinguished musical duo from Bangladesh: Humaira Bashir and Raja Bashir, the talented children of the iconic singing couple Bashir Ahmed and Meena Bashir.
A Star-Studded Night in Karachi
The recording session, which took place on 28 January at the Film Factory Studios in Karachi, was a marathon event extending deep into the night. The siblings joined an illustrious panel of judges, including the subcontinent’s pop pioneer Alamgir Haq, the world-renowned Qawwali maestro Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and celebrated musicians Zeb Bangash and Bilal Maqsood. Although regular judge Fawad Khan was unable to attend this specific session, the atmosphere remained electric and emotionally charged.
Humaira Bashir recounted the overwhelming warmth of their reception, noting that they were showered with flower petals upon entering the set. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan personally welcomed them by saying, “Welcome to the Bashir Ahmed music industry,” a testament to the monumental influence their father had on the regional film and music landscape.
A Medley of Timeless Classics
The siblings performed a curated selection of their father’s most cherished compositions, bridging the cultural sounds of East and West. They opened the performance with a tribute to both parents, singing “Ogo Priyotoma” from the film Moner Manush. This was followed by a masterful medley of Bashir Ahmed’s Urdu cinematic hits that remain cultural touchstones in Pakistan.
| Song Title | Original Film / Context | Language |
| Ogo Priyotoma | Moner Manush (Dir: Mostafa Mehmood) | Bengali |
| Ham Chale Chakkar | Urdu Cinema Classic | Urdu |
| Ye Sama Pyara Pyara | Iconic Playback Hit | Urdu |
| Tumjo Mile Pyar Mila | Golden Age Romantic Track | Urdu |
| Ye Mausam Ye Maste Nazare | Evergreen Melodic Track | Urdu |
Bridging the Generational Gap
Raja Bashir expressed his profound pride at the enduring popularity of his father’s work. “I witnessed firsthand how deeply the Bengali and Urdu songs composed and sung by my father are still cherished,” he remarked. “It was heartening to see that his music is not just remembered by the elders, but is also well-known among Gen-Z listeners.”
Bashir Ahmed, born in Kolkata in 1939, moved to Dhaka in 1964 after establishing himself as a formidable voice in Urdu cinema, famously collaborating with the great Talat Mahmood. This tribute episode, scheduled to air on Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2026, serves as a reminder of the “Golden Age” of melody that continues to resonate across borders.
Following the filming, Humaira and Raja returned to Bangladesh on 1 February, carrying with them memories of a night that celebrated a legacy that transcends time and geography.