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Can Mahesh Bhatt overturn India's ban on Pakistani talent?
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Can Mahesh Bhatt overturn India's ban on Pakistani talent?

The filmmaker is inviting Pakistani singers to contribute to his latest cross-border peace project
Images Staff
26 Feb, 2017

You can trust Mahesh Bhatt to be one of the first from Bollywood to challenge the ban on Pakistani talent.

The filmmaker, who has been a strong supporter of Pakistan-India cultural exchange, previously spoke against the ban and now is putting his money where his mouth is.

For his latest project Milne Do, a play on the theme of cross-border peace, Mahesh Bhatt has invited Pakistani artistes Ali Zafar and Shafqat Amanat Ali to sing, reports DNA India's Subhash K Jha. According to his report, Bhatt made a call to Ali Zafar offering him a song. Ali responded favourably. So did Shafqat Amanat Ali who has agreed to contribute a song to Mahesh Bhatt’s endeavour free of cost.

Also read: It was reckless of Pakistani cinemas to indulge in politics, says Mahesh Bhatt

Delhi-based actor Imran Zahid, who is working with Mahesh Bhatt on this project, confirmed the news, “Every Pakistani artiste Bhatt saab has approached has responded enthusiastically. Shafqat Amanat Ali’s manager said he doesn’t want any money for this song. We are also working on getting Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam on board.”

Zahid believes the ban is inconsequential and will not affect their plans to use Pakistani talent.

“We are going to use the voices of the Pakistani artistes for a play called Milne Do, which will be staged in Delhi on June 8 and Mumbai on June 23. Furthermore the Indian government has clarified that it has not banned Pakistani artistes. When the Government has taken a clear stand on the issue, what chance do the protesters stand?”

“Bhatt saab is not new to protests," he continued. "Dialogue with Pakistan must re-start on a cultural level. The Delhi government is supporting our endeavour here in Delhi and in West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has extended support to our mission.”

However, BJP spokesperson Shaina NC doesn't agree. “Relations with Pakistan have deteriorated to such an extent that there is a move now to declare Pakistan a terror state on an international level. Given the current crisis I don’t think we can have Pakistani artistes coming here.”

Comments

rakesh chimani Feb 26, 2017 03:40pm
good news
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omveer Feb 26, 2017 03:59pm
Has Pakistan ever invited any Indian artist to perform in their country? Why should India go overboard in invitation to Pakistani artists? Taali dono haathon se bajti hai.
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krishankant Feb 26, 2017 04:10pm
We need to engage at people's level and films are the best medium. The government as such not declared ban on Pakistani artists, so Bhatt is lawfully right.
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Pure Ind Feb 26, 2017 04:13pm
@omveer very true just especially when some actors make fun of India & Bollywood in their respective country.
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Asif Kashmiri Feb 26, 2017 04:30pm
@omveer Omm Puri for one - you are seriously misinformed my dear.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Feb 26, 2017 05:06pm
Let's wait and see.
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QURESHI Feb 26, 2017 06:36pm
Ultimately its India which gets benefited by exploiting our talent. So nothing in it for us to rejoice. Instead of developing our industry, they are running off to India just like our educated people run off to Western countries. If everyone good runs away, what do we have left here?
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omveer Feb 26, 2017 07:07pm
@Asif Kashmiri Sure Dear sir.point conceded. I would much rather lose an argument than to lose a friend. Anyone else!
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omveer Feb 26, 2017 07:08pm
@Asif Kashmiri The point was regarding live performance of artists and a lone wolf ranger who has acted or visited Pakistan.
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Asif A Shah Feb 26, 2017 07:23pm
Kudos to Mahesh Bhatt!
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abdul jabbar Feb 26, 2017 09:23pm
Good move by Mehash Bhatt.
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Indian by hear t Feb 26, 2017 11:24pm
Mahesh Bhatt is Pakistani in heart and Hindustani for benefits being in India
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jay tuli Feb 27, 2017 01:47am
I don't know whether Mr. Bhatt can do so, I've been on it and the ban should be lifted within less than 3 months.
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MUHAMMAD Feb 27, 2017 02:09am
@omveer , Pure Ind: Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik, Bombay Vikings, Sukhbir etc have all performed live in Pakistan in the past. Plus Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Indira verma have worked in pak movies. Kavita Krishnamurthi, Udit Narayan, Sunidhi chauhan etc have sung playback for pak movies. On drama side, Juhi Parmar, Divya Dutta, Tina Parekh, Amna Sharif, Kunika Lal, Nausheen Ali Sardar have worked in Pakistani tv serials. More recently shilpa rao sang in coke studio. In addition numerous time indian poets like Javed Akhtar and many more have regularly been invited and have attended events in Pakistan. Feroz Khan even tried to insult pakistan and pakistanis during his stay in karachi when he came to promote Sanjay khan's movie taj mahal about 10 years back (no pakistani actor has ever done that to indians or india). Kappor family has visited peshawar and laore many times. And this is some of the cases I remember, there are many more instances when indians have come here.
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Dv 1936 Feb 27, 2017 02:35am
The hate created by politics of partition can only be reduced by such actions. Everybody should support it.
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AXH Feb 27, 2017 05:42am
@omveer - Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Sara Khan, Deepti Gupta, Nandita Das, etc.
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Shaan Feb 27, 2017 06:30am
@Indian by hear t absolutely correct!
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miserable Feb 27, 2017 06:45am
It will worth to read Mahesh Bhats history, he is a attention monger and will get involved with any issue which will get him eye balls. With his current project he is sure to raise controversy and get public eye at the same time Pakistanis artists might work for peanuts for so called "Bhat saab"
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INDIAN Feb 27, 2017 07:18am
I think this is a great move! MNS should jump into the Arabian Sea for all I care (most Indians hate the mns) cultural relations shouldn't stop, ever! I'd die without Pakistani dramas to be honest ;P
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John Feb 27, 2017 07:30am
He is looking for cheap labor for his films.
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stand together Feb 27, 2017 07:58am
@omveer We have started showing Indian movies in Pakistan and I think these have Indian stars. We have made the first move yet again.
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Ali Feb 27, 2017 08:18am
One can not please everyone. So please just do what you think is best for you and others. People who are saying that Pakistan never invited or any indian didn't come to perform. So please be noted, Sonu Nigham, Nandita Das, OM puri have already came and worked in Pakistan.
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Danial Feb 27, 2017 08:48am
@omveer surely ... indians are invited ... and are free to join the ranks ... whenever they want ... there is no OFFICIAL BAN .. unlike india ...
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Filmy Guy Feb 27, 2017 10:47am
@Asif Kashmiri ...... Having Toby Stephens in a Hindi Film adds value to the Hindi Film, not the other way round (i.e. Work in a Hindi film does not adds any value to Toby Stephens carrer and fame). Similarly adding an Indian Veteran (who was lastly doing only petty roles in Indian Cinema) to a Pakistani Film adds value to the Pakistani Cinema, and not the other way round. So why should India reciprocate. Anyways, it was India who offered your artists a chance to work in a more established and recognized Industry. Please remember that.
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Alanore Feb 27, 2017 01:40pm
@omveer yes they did, Naseer Udeen Sha, late Om Puri, Nandita Das, Vinod Khana, Nafeesa Ali, Sonu Sood,Kiran Kher and many more. Javed Shekh has signed a Indian actress to play one of the leads in his movie Wajood. another Pakistani movie Jackpot also has indian actress.
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democrate1 Feb 27, 2017 05:37pm
Good to see you as well wisher of Indo-Pak relations. Thank you sir MB
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isha Feb 27, 2017 05:38pm
people stop turning ever comment section into a mini bickering session between India and Pakistan people on both sides need to meet to realize both sides dont want war. This should not only artists but regular people
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slider Feb 27, 2017 07:31pm
Why do you want Pak talent in India ?..Let it bloom in Pak and my best wishes ...We already have a billion people and there is no dearth of talent here...Give earning opportunity to a fellow Indian
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Pushkar Feb 27, 2017 10:18pm
There is no ban on anyone. It is just that file-makers are skittish and worried for their return-on-investment should something happen between the two countries.
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sudhir khosla Feb 28, 2017 12:52am
@krishankant talent has no boundaries. Why is shiv sena making this issue political? I f hey love India as they profess, they woudl encourage cross border exchange of artists and not cause such issues. So Karan Johar, SRK, and others - recognize true talent by making films with artists who bring such grace, elegance and charm to the screen. Tired of nepotism in bolloywood. We need outsiders to survive just as Hollywood is. All artists want to promote is peace and love..they are innocent victims and we as Indians should be ashamed to treat them so unjustly especially when the Govt has issued no such ban and granting work visas. Shiv Sena is not stopping Govt from conducting trade with Pakistan, then why such double standards. Filmfare - look at Oscars - awards were based on talent not religion or nationality.
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sudhir khosla Feb 28, 2017 12:54am
@slider Talent should be recognized without bias. Bollywood is filled with nepotism. If artists bring charm and grace on our screen, why should we not enjoy that? They work hard and speak so highly of us...why are you scared to have them them. They will raise the bar. Let the adience decide.
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sudhir khosla Feb 28, 2017 12:57am
@omveer yes..many many artists. and we were welcomed with open arms. Shame on us for being scared of shiv sena...who is hated by all. we want talented artists who are so charming and graceful. They provide healthy competition to our actors..hopefully will raise the bar
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waheed Feb 28, 2017 02:02am
@omveer always open your mind
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waheed Feb 28, 2017 02:10am
@slider it's not only about money my dear it's about goodwill and quenching the fire that may consume us all if we don't do something now
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Waqar Feb 28, 2017 03:56am
Why dont we focus on ourselves and revive our own film industry and compete in the world. It will be much better to show our own culture instead of following others'.
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Satyameva Jayate Feb 28, 2017 05:12am
Indian Government did not ban any Pakistani Entertainment, unlike Pakistan that officially banned all Indian Entertainment in Cinmeas, TV and Radio. Fortunately, it did not ban Indian content in private parties and on weddings.
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bharat Feb 28, 2017 10:13am
Once Mr Bhatt runs out of daughters,neices,nephews he runs to Pakistan to sample Pakistani talent which he loves so much and pays zero.
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Zak Mar 01, 2017 09:29pm
Why? He should stick to their own talent. We are moving on towards international arena. Hollywood has 12 actors of pakistani origin.
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Zak Mar 01, 2017 09:30pm
@omveer no need for either to cross the Loc.
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