Aniketdigi at 09:02, 9 April 2026

2026-04-09T09:02:55Z

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{{short description|Music composer from India}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = person
| name = Atif Afzal
| image = Atif Afzal studio profile.jpg
| caption = A-Zal in the 2010s
| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], India
| genre = [[Pop music]], [[film score]]s
| occupation = [[Singer-songwriter]], [[composer]]
| education = [[New York University]]
| instrument =
| years_active = 2013–present
| label =
| website = {{URL|https://a-zal.com}}
}}

'''Atif Afzal''', also known by his stage name '''A-Zal''', is an India-born, [[London]]-raised, [[New York City|New York]]–based [[singer-songwriter]] and composer. He is known for his music compositions for the American [[television series]] ''[[Ms. Marvel (miniseries)]]'', ''[[Loki (TV series)]]'', ''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]'' and ''[[The Twilight Zone (2019 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'' and for the films ''[[Resort to Love]]'', ''[[Prague (2013 film)|Prague]]'', ''[[Pune 52]]'', ''[[Monsoon Shootout]]'', and ''[[Baji (2015 film)|Baji]]''.

==Early life and education==
Atif Afzal was born in [[Mumbai]], India, but grew up in [[Hounslow]], in [[London]], England. He attended Hounslow Heath School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A-Zal. From Mumbai to Hollywood Soundtracks |url=https://www.famemagazine.co.uk/a-zal-from-mumbai-to-hollywood-soundtracks/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=www.famemagazine.co.uk}}</ref>

He studied engineering at the [[K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering]] and then worked at [[KPMG]] before starting a career in music.<ref name="Shetty 22">{{cite news |last=Shetty |first=Anjali |date=November 26, 2017 |title=When I entered the industry, I knew nobody|url=http://www.atifafzal.com/press/ht-cafe/ |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |page=22 }}</ref> He trained under an alumnus from the [[Royal College of Music]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wpri.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/646095719/a-zal-unveils-new-infectious-funky-feel-good-summer-pop-single-movie-script/ |title=A-Zal Unveils New Infectious, Funky, Feel-Good Summer Pop Single “Movie Script” |last=Kagdi |first=Safaque |date=24 July 2023 |website=WPRI.com |publisher=Nexstar Media Group, Inc. |access-date=21 September 2025}}</ref>

==Career==
Afzal is known by his [[stage name]] A-Zal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Njoka |first1=Eric |title=Musician Atif Afzal speaks to WION: All about A-Zal's 'Marvel'ous journey |url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/musician-atif-afzal-speaks-to-wion-all-about-a-zals-marvelous-journey-491603 |work=[[WION]] |date=June 25, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chopra |first1=Swati |title='The Benchmark Is Very High With Marvel': Ms Marvel's Music Composer A-Zal |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/ms-marvel-music-composer-a-zal-atif-afzal-said-benchmark-is-very-high-with-marvel-ar-rahman-lata-mangeshkar |work=[[The Quint]] |date=25 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

Afzal began his music career in 2013 by composing the film scores and soundtracks of ''Prague'',<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rafat |title=Prague Music Review |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/prague-music-review-093313942.html |access-date=September 14, 2013 |work=[[Yahoo!]] News |language=en-IN}}</ref> ''Pune 52''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Times News Network |title=Shalmali Kholgade is music director Atif Afzal's lucky mascot |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/shalmali-kholgade-is-music-director-atif-afzals-lucky-mascot/articleshow/46041513.cms |access-date=January 28, 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> and ''Baji''.<ref>{{cite news |title='Baji' Music Director Atif Afzal |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2fglyx |work=[[Dailymotion]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author= |title=I had the liberty to compose|url=http://www.atifafzal.com/press/absolute-india-15th-jan-2015/|work=Absolute India |date=January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rajani |first=Kanika |date=February 6, 2015 |title=A Grand Score!|url=http://www.atifafzal.com/press/screen-6th-feb-2015/ |work=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]]|page=35}}</ref><ref name=ToI2015>{{cite news |title=Shreyas Talpade goes gaga over 'Baji' music director Atif Afzal {{!}} Marathi Movie News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/regional/marathi/Shreyas-Talpade-goes-gaga-over-Baji-music-director-Atif-Afzal/videoshow/46004295.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=January 24, 2015 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Atif Afzal: Felt bad when my movie with Salman Khan got shelved |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/atif-afzal-felt-bad-when-my-movie-with-salman-khan-got-shelved/articleshow/49581450.cms |access-date=October 29, 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en| agency=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Service |first1=Tribune News |title=Third time lucky |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/article-34696 |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=January 28, 2015 |language=en}}</ref>

He has also worked on international films, including a German film, ''Gift'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Adgully Exclusive: "My inspiration is A.R. Rahman"- Composer and Singer Atif Afzal |url=https://www.adgully.com/videos/5OdgUpLmtyM |website=www.adgully.com}}</ref> a European film, ''Then a Hero Comes Along'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Composing music for global films is exciting: Atif Afzal |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/composing-music-for-global-films-is-exciting-atif-afzal-117080200117_1.html |access-date=August 2, 2017 |work=[[Business Standard]] India |agency=[[IANS]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharjee |first1=Rupanwita |title=It was a bumpy ride: Atif Afzal |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/bumpy-ride-atif-afzal-1502538461.html |access-date=December 2, 2017 |work=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]}}</ref> a New York short film, ''The Alternative'',<ref name="Source for The Alternative">{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Arpita |title=Monsoon Shootout composer used Skype to record music |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood-monsoon-shootout-composer-used-skype-to-record-music-413602 |work=[[India TV]] |date=November 24, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> and ''[[Bachelor Girls]]''.<ref name="Source for The Alternative" /> In 2017, he scored the background music for ''Monsoon Shootout'', which was produced by [[Anurag Kashyap]] and [[DAR Motion Pictures]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Press Trust of India |title=Atif Afzal: Felt bad when my movie with Salman Khan got shelved |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/atif-afzal-felt-bad-when-my-movie-with-salman-khan-got-shelved/articleshow/49581450.cms |access-date=October 29, 2015 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en|author1-link=Press Trust of India }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Atif Afzal lends his vocals for first Marathi track |url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/news/atif-afzal-lends-his-vocals-first-marathi-track-141215 |work=radioandmusic.com |date=December 15, 2014 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Abhijeet Sawant joins hands with Bollywood music director Atif Afzal for Baji |url=https://urbanasian.com/featured/2015/02/abhijeet-sawant-joins-hands-with-bollywood-music-director-atif-afzal-for-baji/ |work=Urban Asian |date=February 5, 2015}}</ref> He also composed music for the Marathi film ''Charandas Chor''.<ref>{{cite news |title='Monsoon Shootout' composer used Skype to record music |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/music/monsoon-shootout-composer-used-skype-record-music-1502533968.html |work=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]] |agency=[[IANS]] |date=November 24, 2017}}</ref>

Afzal's film albums have been released on major record labels including [[Universal Music Group]], [[Times Music]], [[Zee Music Company]] and [[Saregama]]. He has also sung the songs 'Shravan Shravan' in the film ''Baji'' and 'Chor Chor Saare' in the film ''Charandas Chor''.<ref name="Shetty 22"/>

Afzal moved to New York in 2018<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Tagat |first1=Anurag |title=New York-Based Music Director Atif Afzal Talks Metal Roots, Making It in the Composing Space - |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/new-york-pune-composer-atif-afzal-interview/ |access-date=22 October 2020 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=12 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=New York based Indian Singer-Songwriter Atif Afzal has released new mellow single |url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/news/201210-new-york-based-indian-singer-songwriter-atif |website=Radio and Music |language=en}}</ref> and studied music at [[New York University]].<ref name="university">{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Atif Afzal (aka A-Zal) talks about his upcoming pop music album|url=https://losangeleslifeandstyle.com/?p=8906 |work=Los Angeles Life and Style |date=April 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=De Souza |first1=Noel |title=Meet A-Zal, The Indian Musician Who Composed Music for Marvel's Loki |url=https://zeezest.com/culture/meet-a-zal-the-indian-musician-who-composed-music-for-marvel-s-loki-844 |work=[[Zee Zest]] |date=August 17, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In 2020, he composed soundtracks for the American television series ''NCIS: Los Angeles'' and ''The Twilight Zone''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rajpal |first1=Rocktim |title=Remix culture killing originality, says music composer Atif Afzal |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/remix-culture-killing-originality-says-music-composer-atif-afzal-890833.html |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=21 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Khatoon |first1=Farah |title=Composer Atif Afzal creates a surreal world for Loki's finale |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2021/jul/30/composer-atif-afzal-creates-a-surreal-world-for-lokis-finale-34975.html |work=Indulge Express |date=30 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2021, A-Zal composed soundtracks for ''[[Loki (TV series)]]'' and [[Alicia Keys]] produced Netflix film, ''[[Resort to Love]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lulla |first1=Sonia |title=A journey worth marvelling |url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/hollywood-news/article/sound-check-a-snap-review-of-new-music-23184674?infinite-scroll=1 |work=[[Mid-Day]] |date=26 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sen |first1=Debarati |title=Musician A-Zal: Anywhere you go in the world, you will always hear Bollywood beats being played - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/musician-a-zal-anywhere-you-go-in-the-world-you-will-always-hear-bollywood-beats-being-played/articleshow/85294543.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=August 13, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, A-Zal composed two soundtracks for Marvel Cinematic Studios' ''[[Ms. Marvel (miniseries)]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Priyanka |title=A-Zal chats with The Telegraph on what it takes to break into Hollywood |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/people/a-zal-chats-with-the-telegraph-on-what-it-takes-to-break-into-hollywood/cid/1872122 |work=[[The Telegraph (India)]] |date=June 28, 2022}}</ref>

In 2023, the artist released his single "Lonely Town". The music video for the single received nominations at the 2023 [[Montreal Independent Film Festival]] and the 2024 American Documentary and Animation Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Argentina |first1=Billboard |title=A-Zal: De tocar en el metro de Nueva York a cantante pop |url=https://billboard.ar/lanzamientos/a-zal-de-tocar-en-el-metro-de-nueva-york-a-cantante-pop/#google_vignette |website=[[Billboard Argentina]] |language=es |date=3 June 2024}}</ref>

==Filmography==
=== Films ===
* ''[[Prague (2013 film)|Prague]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Pune 52]]'' (2013)
* ''Horn Please'' (2013)
* ''[[Baji (2015 film)|Baji]]'' (2015)<ref name=ToI2015/>
* ''That Sunday'' (2015)
* ''[[Bachelor Girls]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Monsoon Shootout]]'' (2017)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tikare |first1=Sachin |title=Atif Afzal's score in Monsoon Shootout gets applause |url=http://www.atifafzal.com/press/free-press-journal/ |access-date=March 29, 2018 |work=[[The Free Press Journal]]}}</ref>
* ''Charandas Chor'' (2017)
* ''Gift'' (2017)
* ''The Alternative'' (2018)<ref name="university" />
* ''Then a Hero Comes Along''
* ''[[Resort to Love]]'' (2021)<ref name="afzal resort">{{cite news |last1=Sadhwani |first1=Garima |title=A-Zal becomes a part of the 'Marvel'ous cinematic universe |url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/entertainment/a-zal-becomes-a-part-of-the-marvelous-cinematic-universe |work=National Herald |date=8 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Television series ===
* ''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]''<ref name="ncis">{{cite news |last1=Today |first1=Telangana |title=Indian-American singer A-Zal composes Alicia Keys |url=https://telanganatoday.com/indian-american-singer-a-zal-composes-alicia-keys |work=Telangana Today |date=14 August 2021}}</ref>
* ''[[The Twilight Zone (2019 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]''
* ''[[Loki (TV series)| Loki]]''<ref name="hindu news url">{{cite web |last1=Chandar |first1=Bhuvanesh |title=Music composer A-Zal on working in 'Ms Marvel' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/music-composer-a-zal-on-working-in-ms-marvel/article65626849.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=12 July 2022}}</ref>
* ''[[Ms. Marvel (miniseries)|Ms. Marvel]]''<ref name="rolling stone magazine about artist">{{cite magazine |last1=Tagat |first1=Anurag |title=Composer A-Zal Talks 'Ms. Marvel' Music and Finally Telling His Own Story |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/composer-a-zal-atif-afzal-ms-marvel-perfect-song/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=8 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pereira |first1=Karen |title=Atif Afzal reveals secret Marvel film on the cards after composing music for 'Ms Marvel' and 'Loki'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/english/atif-afzal-reveals-secret-marvel-film-on-the-cards-after-composing-music-for-ms-marvel-and-loki/articleshow/92594850.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=July 1, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=PTI |title=Ms Marvel track was originally for a Salman Khan film |url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com/how-to-lounge/movies-tv/ms-marvel-track-was-originally-for-a-salman-khan-film-atif-afzal-111656938207367.html |work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |date=4 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==Discography==
===Singles===
*"Movie Script"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tagat |first1=Anurag |title=A-Zal Seeks Belonging in the Big Apple in 'Lonely Town' Video |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/a-zal-lonely-town-song-video-new-york-city/ |website=[[Rolling Stone India]] |date=19 October 2023}}</ref>
*"Lonely Town"
*"Autopilot"
*"Phonebook"
*"Fa Fa Fa"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tagat |first1=Anurag |title=A-Zal’s Frenzied ‘Fa Fa Fa’ is His Way of Addressing Racism |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/a-zal-fa-fa-fa-new-song-video-racist-attack/ |website=[[Rolling Stone India]] |date=27 June 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commonscatinline}}
* {{Official website|https://a-zal.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|5065411}}

[[Category:Indian male film score composers]]
[[Category:Indian film score composers]]
[[Category:20th-century births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian composers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male musicians]]
[[Category:Date of birth missing (living people)]]

A-Zal - Revision history

Aniketdigi at 09:02, 9 April 2026