‘Prepared to go’: Lucky Ali says he travels with his ‘burial cloth’
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Popular singer Lucky Ali recently left fans emotional after speaking about death during a live concert, saying he is “prepared to go” and carries his burial cloth, or Ihram, whenever he travels.
The 67-year-old singer became emotional while responding to the love and affection he has received from his audience. He later shared the concert video on Instagram, prompting an emotional response from fans.
“I know, I love you all too. One day we all have to go. I am not preparing you for it, but I am prepared actually. Whenever I travel, I travel with my Ihram, which is my burial cloth; wherever I die, just let me go from there,” Lucky said during the concert.
His remarks moved several people in the audience, with one fan recalling that it had been 30 years since they first connected with his music.
After Lucky posted the video on Instagram, fans expressed concern and affection in the comments. One fan wrote that they remembered watching his songs on Doordarshan in the late 1990s and said they were emotionally unable to accept his comments about death. Another fan said travelling with the Ihram reflected the faith he carried in his heart and wished him a long and healthy life.
A third fan shared a lengthy message describing Lucky as an important part of their childhood, memories and identity. The fan said Lucky’s music had helped them understand and feel music, adding that his comments about death had genuinely hurt and disturbed them.
The fan also urged Lucky to take care of his health, peace of mind and happiness, saying there was still much more music, memories and love waiting for him. They expressed a wish to meet him someday.
Lucky Ali, son of legendary actor Mehmood, rose to prominence in the 1990s through independent music and later worked as a playback singer in Bollywood. He has lent his voice to songs in films including Tamasha, Anjaana Anjaani, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Yuva and Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai.
In a conversation with Navbharat Times last year, Lucky spoke about his journey in the film industry and his decision to step away from it. He recalled acting and singing in films before deciding that he wanted to sing in his own style, which led to the creation of “O Sanam”.
Lucky said he distanced himself from the industry in 2015, explaining that while people had misbehaved with him, it was not toxicity but monotony that prompted his withdrawal. He also said that after his father’s death, he felt there was nothing left for him in the industry and that he did not even have friends there.
He also recalled working with filmmaker Shyam Benegal on Trikal and Bharat Ek Khoj, saying he learnt from artistes including Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Om Puri. He later returned to music to find his own voice, saying he had realised that if his talent was genuine, audiences would listen.
On the personal front, Lucky Ali has been married three times. He first married Meaghan Jane McCleary, with whom he has two children. He later married Inaya, a Persian woman, and they have two children. In 2010, he married British model and former beauty queen Kate Elizabeth Hallam, with whom he has a son. The couple divorced in 2017.
Speaking about his marriages, Lucky said relationships do not necessarily have to begin and end with the same partner. He said that although none of his marriages worked, his relationships with his former partners remained intact and that they continued to be there for one another.
Lucky has also spoken about his responsibility towards his children, saying he believes parenting is fundamentally about love and that children learn from what they see their parents do.