Images

Shafqat, Amitabh to bring patriotic fervour to Pak-India World Twenty20 match

Shafqat, Amitabh to bring patriotic fervour to Pak-India World Twenty20 match

The Pakistani singer and Bollywood megastar will sing national anthems of their respective countries before the match
16 Mar, 2016

Will there be a Pak-India sing-off before the World Twenty 20 match on March 19 at the Eden Gardens?

Not quite. But two megastars from Pakistan and India will sing the national anthem of their respective countries back-to-back before the first innings begins, reports First Post.

While classical singer Shafqat Amanat Ali seems like an obvious choice to sing Pakistan's national anthem, some may be surprised that Amitabh Bachchan will lend his vocals to India's. Bachchan even confirmed the news by retweeting a post in his official Twitter handle.

However, Bachchan, who is known for his rich baritone, has worked as playback singer to great success. He sang in his film Mr. Natwarlal, and was even nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer.

Sources in the Cricket Association of Bengal on Tuesday said roping in Bachchan was its president Sourav Ganguly's effort. “The president was involved and the plan was on for a long time,” CAB sources said.

Comments

Bhraratiya Australian, California Mar 16, 2016 12:13pm
Deep Love and Respect from bottom of hearts Bacchan sir...You really make us Indians proud. Eagerly waiting for game. Good luck both teams.
Recommend
tazu Mar 16, 2016 01:36pm
Why dont make it vice versa... AB sing for Pakistan Shafqat for India. A big step for Aman ki ashaa
Recommend
Arshad Mar 16, 2016 01:43pm
Excellent News ! Let's enjoy this event as much as possible !
Recommend
Gurjeet Singh Mar 16, 2016 06:05pm
Eagerly waiting for Mr. Bachchan to sing..
Recommend
Ghaznavi Mar 16, 2016 06:48pm
It will be more powerful gesture if Bacchan sings Pakistani anthem and Safqat sings Indian anthem.
Recommend
syed shahzad bukhari Mar 16, 2016 07:09pm
Amitab is a living legend respected equally on both borders
Recommend
Pnpuri Mar 16, 2016 10:23pm
Let us all Indians and Pakistanis 1450000000 stand together when national anthem of two countries will be sung.
Recommend
Ali Mar 16, 2016 11:34pm
@Arshad Fantastic suggestions. Who would bell the cat I. E. Nationalists on both sides?
Recommend
Abdul Hakim Mar 17, 2016 08:44am
Shafqat is a great choice to sing Pakistan's National Anthem.His beautiful voice will not only thrill and vibrate the team but will resonate throughout the world
Recommend
Vidyut Bharadwaj Mar 17, 2016 09:03am
Amitabh's Hindi/Sanskrit pronunciation is perfect . No one in Hindi film industry is remotely qualified to sing our national anthem , more than him . If he agrees to sing , which he has , then you don't have to look for any one else .
Recommend
Debajyoti Mohanty Mar 17, 2016 10:00am
@Ghaznavi .Dear Bro, as an Indian, I also support your views. There is no such difference between Us. We love you... Regards, Dev, India
Recommend
aslam shaikh Mar 17, 2016 11:45am
It will be better if children sing the National Anthems instead of people whose profession is acting, dancing and singing.
Recommend
Naveed Mar 17, 2016 02:50pm
@tazu A very good suggestion :)
Recommend
kharrgosh Mar 17, 2016 03:29pm
ask ali zafar to sing anthems for both.. his vocals will be just perrrrfect and rocking as per the tones and rhythm of pak sarzameen shad baad and jann gann mann.. seriously ^_^ =)
Recommend
Rashid Sultan Mar 18, 2016 11:59pm
Has anyone noticed how similar Shafqat is to the Indian musical prodigy A R Rehman? They could be brothers.
Recommend
Faraz Mar 19, 2016 06:25pm
Dawn: The times have changed to more videos than simple printed paternal feeding of information to the masses. Show us what you are talking about with a video to prove as well as increase your rating from the past to present. (Remember, you are running M. A. Jinnah's legacy, he was modern and promoted social democracy) Thank you.
Recommend
Bin Adam Mar 21, 2016 12:58am
It would have made a great history if Shafqat Amanat Ali one of most popular singers of Pakistan and respectable Amitabh Bachchan highly loved and admired by the people of Pakistan would have sung the National Anthem of their neighboring country. Nevertheless their performance and presence in the Stadium only doubled the pleasure of audience.
Recommend