Biography
Who is Shehzad Roy?
Early life and education
Shehzad Roy was born in Karachi on February 16, 1977, to Kabir Roy and Nazli Qamar. His father was a businessman who encouraged him to pursue his own path in life after missing out on playing cricket during his own childhood. Shehzad completed his basic high school education at the Pakistan Community School in Saudi Arabia.
His upbringing in a supportive household allowed him to pursue his early interests in music and arts. These foundational years in his life shaped his future creative pursuits and his dedication to public service within his home country.
Music career and albums
Shehzad began his professional singing career in 1995 with the release of his debut album titled Zindagi. Following his first release, he launched his second album Darshan in 1997 and his third album Teri soorat in 1999. He continued building his discography by releasing Rab Janey in 2002 and Buri Baat Hai in 2005.
His sixth album, titled Qismat Apne Haath Mein, was released in 2008 inside a juvenile jail in Karachi to draw attention to awaiting-trial prisoners. This album marked a major shift in his musical style toward social commentary, featuring tracks like Laga Rahe and the title song Qismat Apne Haath Mein, which addressed the struggles of the less privileged in society.
Over the years, he has also collaborated with numerous artists and contributed music to international and cross-border projects. His track Bullshit featured on the soundtrack of the Bollywood film Khatta Meetha as a mash-up of his popular political songs.
Documentary series and activism
Beyond his music, Shehzad established the non-governmental organisation Zindagi Trust in 2002 to improve the quality of education for average citizens in Pakistan. The trust pioneered the Paid to Learn program to offer working children an alternative to child labour while teaching them an accelerated primary education course.
He produced and hosted the documentary series Chal Parha in 2013, travelling across eighty cities on a motorcycle to examine public schools. The show successfully highlighted issues in the education system and contributed to the legislative ban on corporal punishment in Pakistan.
He also produced the 2011 documentary series Wasu aur Mein alongside villager Wasu Khan, exploring themes of poverty, progress, and patriotism through their travels across various cities.
Birthday and age
Shehzad Roy was born on February 16, 1977, which makes Shehzad 49 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Shehzad shares the date with 33 other famous people.
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