Borderline Case!
PRIYANKA DASGUPTA , TNN
With reports of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the Mumbai terror attack, many are left to wonder whether this might impact India’s relations with artistes and players across the border.
Though fresh wounds often don’t allow room for rational thinking, are we going to stop cheering for Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram or humming along with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and an Adnan Sami?
If singer Abhijeet has his way, he would ban all Pakistani artistes in India. “Haven’t we had enough in Kargil, Kashmir and now, Mumbai to insist that Pakistani artistes be banned in our country? All those who give a platform to Pakistani artistes with no musical background should be put behind bars. Such blasts are possible only if there is a huge network working in India. I have a strong feeling that certain production houses are funded by that network, which, in turn, insists that these non-singers be given work in India. Interrogating these producers is the need of the hour,” says a livid Abhijeet.
Music composer Vivek Phillip, however, feels that it’s unfair to make such sweeping statements. “Terrorists can’t be branded as Muslims or Pakistanis. While I understand that some production houses want to garner publicity and consider it cool to work with Pakistani singers, I’d want to work with a genuine singer. If a singer wants my advice, I’m ready to help out without politicising creativity.”
Divya Khosla Kumar, creative head of T-series, which has worked with the likes of Adnan Sami and Faakir, says, “We need a positive approach. Music can’t have boundaries. If there are wrong minds at work, love is the only way to win them over.”
Producer Ramesh Taurani of Tips Films, who has produced many Atif Aslam albums, is numb after the Mumbai massacre. “Despite everything, artistes will remain artistes. My views on working with Atif haven’t changed,” Tautani admits.
Film-maker Mahesh Bhatt, who has been instrumental in bringing many Pakistani artistes and has also released his films in the neighbouring country, says, “The defence minister has cautiously said that certain elements within Pakistan may have assisted these terrorists. He hasn’t put the whole nation in the dock. Even the foreign minister of Pakistani answered all questions forthrightly, without running away.
A junior representative from ISI is being sent to India. This only expresses the willingness on the part of Pakistan to prove that while there may be people within the country involved in this carnage, one wouldn’t find the fingerprints of the state of Pakistan in the attack. Moreover, we have seen such an attack at JW Marriott
. Pakistan has a deeper wound after the Bangladesh war. Despite that, Indian stars have remained icons in Pakistan.
The common man of India still hails Imran Khan as a great cricketer, worships a Zeba Bakhtiyar, a Mehndi Hassan and watches Pakistani soaps. Continuing to work with Pakistan is the way to resolve a crisis. We’ll be working with Monalisa for Kajra Re.”
Back in Kolkata, composer Debajyoti Mishra, who has scored the music for Ramchand Pakistani, hasn’t changed his mind. Procuring visas might be a problem now, but the urge to work hasn’t gone down. “On Saturday night, I spoke to Shafqat Amanat Ali, who has sung for me in Chaturanga. We’ve only discussed music,” Mishra says.
Perhaps, once the cacophony of bullet shots has been silenced, it’s harmony of notes that a wounded nation would want as a lullaby for peace.
link:
Borderline Case!-India Buzz-Entertainment-The Times of India
Mumbai attacks' impact on Indo-Pak music relations [Times of India Article]
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