MUMBAI/ISLAMABAD: Award-winning singer Atif Aslam has been repeatedly shrugging off requests to promote his latest song “Sehmi Hai Dharrkan” from the forthcoming Bollywood film ‘Daas Dev’, says its producer Sanjeev Kumar.
“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,” Sanjeev Kumar said in a statement.
“Sehmi Hai Dharrkan” was unveiled on February 22 as the first song from Sudhir Mishra’s film ‘Daas Dev’, a contemporary take on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel Devdas.
Earlier this month, politician Babul Supriyo had asked for a ban on Pakistani artistes working in the Hindi film industry. He had also objected to the inclusion of Pakistan singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice in the film ‘Welcome to New York’.
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. It is scheduled to hit the screens on March 23.
Pakistan criticised India for ‘anti-Pakistan prejudice’ as the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association upheld its ban on Pakistani performing artistes.
“It is unfortunate that art and cinema, which bring people together by acting as cultural bridges, are being held hostage to hate and xenophobia,” Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal said.
“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,” Muhammad Faisal said. These decisions taken and/or upheld by the Indian government “expose it of (becoming) a sham-ocracy”, the spokesperson said.
Published in Daily Times, March 2nd 2018.
