Daily Times

MUMBAI/ISLAMABAD: Following politician Babul Supriyo’s ban on Pakistani artistes working in the film industry earlier this month, Pakistani singer Atif Aslam has been repeatedly shrugging off requests to promote his latest song, Sehmi Hai Dhadkan, from the upcoming Bollywood film Daas Dev, says producer Sanjeev Kumar.

Kumar said in a statement: “Atif said he will do it, but it hasn’t been done. I’m not sure why he isn’t taking part in the activity, but, as a producer, I see that work promised hasn’t been executed.”

Supriyo had also objected to the inclusion of Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice in the film Welcome To New York.

In response to this, Kumar said, “Normally, such statements are made by fringe groups. When a minister says it, it leaves an impact on more people. But we needed Atif for this song. He has 20 million followers on social media. Imagine the kind of traction we would have got had he promoted it.”

Daas Dev stars Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari and Rahul Bhat and is scheduled to hit the big screen on March 23. The song Sehmi Hai Dhadkan was unveiled on February 22 as the first song from the film, a contemporary take on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel Devdas.

As the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) upheld its ban on Pakistani performing artistes, Pakistan criticised India for ‘anti-Pakistan prejudice’.

“It is unfortunate that art and cinema, which bring people together by acting as cultural bridges, are being held hostage to hate and xenophobia,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal.

“Unfortunately this decision, following several others, including non-issuance of visas to Pakistani pilgrims, refusal to allow participation of Sikhs and Katas Raj pilgrims, and cancellation of sports matches, underscores the growing intolerance and bias prevalent in India,” he added.

The spokesperson went on to say: “These decisions taken and/or upheld by the Indian government “expose it of (becoming) a sham-ocracy.”