Iconic Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Sunday attempted to downplay a viral video that purportedly showed him mercilessly thrashing a man with his shoe, who he claimed was his disciple.

The video shows the singer repeatedly hitting and slapping the man as he enquires him about a "bottle".

The man, meanwhile, is seen pleading with the singer, saying he has no idea about it.

In another scene, some people were seen trying to pull the singer away to save the student.

Samaa TV, a Pakistani broadcaster, identified the man as his employee and said such violent behaviour among singers is a worrying trend.

In his defence, Khan later clarified that it was a personal matter between an "ustad and his shagird (teacher and disciple)".

"This is about a personal issue between an ustad and shagird. He is like my son. This is how the relation is between a teacher and his disciple. If a disciple does something good, I shower my love on him. If he does something wrong, he is punished," he said in a video.

Khan said he had also apologised to him after the incident.

In the clarification video, the man who was beaten admitted he had misplaced a bottle containing holy water - which led to the incident, but said there was no ill-intention behind his actions.

"He's like my father. He loves us a lot. Whoever spread this video is trying to defame my ustad," he said.