Singer Papon has released Apne Khilaaf, the first track from his upcoming album Mehfilz with Papon, marking the beginning of a project aimed at presenting ghazals in a contemporary format.
Released on June 2, the song introduces the broader Mehfilz with Papon series, which blends music, poetry and personal storytelling. The accompanying music video is set in an intimate living-room environment designed to recreate the atmosphere of a traditional mehfil, with Papon performing before a small audience that includes actors Meiyang Chang and Pankaj Tripathi.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Papon described the project as a long-cherished creative vision, saying it brings together music, poetry and emotion in a more personal and expressive form. He noted that Mehfilz with Papon had been in development for years and drew heavily from his experiences with traditional mehfils.
The singer said these gatherings played a formative role in his musical journey and shaped the emotional foundation of the album. He also highlighted his collaboration with lyricist Irshad Kamil, adding that the aim was to retain the essence of ghazals while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
Apne Khilaaf marks the first release from the album, with additional tracks from Mehfilz with Papon expected in the coming weeks.
