Salman, Arijit feud gives Atif Bollywood lifeline, Babul Supriyo expresses annoyance
Salman Khan apparently got Arijit Singh’s voice replaced with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s in Tiger Zinda Hai. This was the second time Salman did away with Arijit’s voice, the first allegedly being in Sultan.
In Tiger Zinda Hai, Atif Aslam crooned Dil Diya Gallan and now, he will once over take over the mic for the film Welcome To New York. Interestingly, it was being whispered that Salman insisted on dubbing Arijit’s voice with Rahat’s earlier also in Sultan for the song Jag Ghoomeya.
The Salman-Arijit feud goes back a long way to an awards function which Salman had hosted and where Arijit came on stage wearing informal clothes and chappals. The two had exchanged barbed sarcastic remarks on stage. This perhaps explains why Arijit was shown the backdoor in favour of Rahat in Sultan.
However, BJP minister-singer Baabul Supriyo says he cannot comprehend the need or desire to cross the border for entertainment at a time when war is no longer a remote concept. “I am also not sure why Atif got to sing Dil Diya Gallan when Arijit could have done a much better job. The FM stations played the song galore, while news channels announced the name of our soldiers martyred by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists,” he sighs.
Baabul clarifies that India has no problems with either Atif or Rahat. “Both are great singers but it’s important to clarify that our problem is not with the artistes. We have an issue with their nationality. It’s not a political stand, but probably the families who have lost their sons, brothers, fathers would feel a lot better should the entire country show solidarity in any manner possible,” he adds.
Bollywood, says Baabul, has a national responsibility. “Bollywood is an integral part of India. It represents India worldwide, hence banning Pakistani artistes in Indian films would have also taken the protest against organised terrorism by the rogue nation, worldwide,” he explains. “And, I clearly recall that such a promise was made when Ae Dil Hai Mushkil had met protests due to Fawad Khan.”
And why is Pakisan’s entertainment industry silent over cross-border terrorism? Baabul wonders, “It’s pertinent to note that one cannot recall a single Pakistani artiste made famous by Bollywood, condemn acts of terrorism,” he adds.
