'I Was Prepared To Do...': Adnan Sami Addresses Hatred, Trolling Over Acquiring Indian Citizenship | Republic Plenary Summit

Singer and composer Adnan Sami graced the Republic Plenary Summit 2025 in New Delhi. He broke into some of his popular tunes and made the audiences at Bharat Mandapam groove in their seats. He was accompanied by his daughter Medina, who also sang along with her father. Sami, who acquired Indian citizenship a few years back, spoke about being a patriot and taking pride in being an Indian.

Sami shared that the process of acquiring Indian citizenship was a long and drawn-out legal process and he was rejected twice in 18 years. He said he is "finally home" and that is what he is his handover to his forthcoming generations.

Talking about the love he is receiving in India, Sami said, "Pyaar aur apna pan mehsoos hua hai. It had to be India. Upar wale ne kaha ki iska birthday 15 August kar do taki kisi ko shaq na ho that he was born here. It was destiny and it came from up above. We are there to execute it. My destiny was India. I have lived in various parts of the world but I have arrived where I wanted to be."

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He started the summit session by singing his popular track Lift Kara De, and followed it up with a soulful rendition of Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao. He dedicated the song to India, expressing his belongingness to the country.  

Talking about trolling over the years over his citizenship and how he is not one to take things lying down, Sami shared, "There was a lot of hatred initially. But these things happen. I don't take things lying down. I am tolerant and patient up to a certain point. When someone gets the impression that he is defensive and quiet then you have to show them the door and boy I have shown them."

Talking about handing over the Indian citizenship to his forthcoming generations, the Padma Shri awardee said, "When someone is born with something, he gets things as a part of his lineage. People don't value this and take it for granted. The step that I took after more than 40 years back, I took the decision for my family. I saw and lived in various parts of the world. They say the grass is greener on the other side. When I decided to take this step, it was after all the decision and comparing it with what I have ganied here. I was prepared to do anything to acquire. It took 18 years for me to get it."

On the concluding note, he said, "I am an artist and an emotional person. A simple thing like love can melt us. The love I got here and still get, this is important for me. It took 18 years for me to get it. I was rejected twice. You have to be stubborn, and go after it. The step that I took, is not just for me. It is for the forthcoming generation of my family. I keep telling the value of what it is to be a patriot. That is something I want her (Madiha) to know. It did not come easy don't ever take it for granted. I am overwhelmed by the love that I have received here."