Gurlej Akhtar

Having been raised in a musical family with multiple singers, it was perhaps inevitable that Gurlej Akhtar would go on to become one herself—just like her brothers Shahnaz Akhtar and Sahil Alhtar, who are both Sufi singers. Following her sister Jasmeen Akhtar, she made her breakthrough in the Punjabi scene as a singer of duets, particularly with fellow vocalist Sukhwinder Sukhi, before making a name for herself with contributions to numerous film soundtracks. Gurlej Akhtar’s powerful and palpably emotive vocal style helped set her apart, and the hits began to stack up: Among her best-known songs are “Love Letter”, “Fitteh Moo”, “25 Pind” and “Nia Shad Da”. She’s heard in such popular Punjabi movies as Hashar, Jihne Mera Dil Luteya and Ardaas. She is also known for her live performances, especially alongside husband Kulwinder Kally, another Punjabi singer—they first met when taking part as judges on the same reality show.