Supriyo wants Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice removed from song
Singer-turned-Union minister Babul Supriyo has said Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice should be removed from a song in the film, Welcome to New York. Titled ‘Ishtehaar’, the song features Rahat on the vocals, and Supriyo wants the song to be dubbed by someone else.
Supriyo has said he can’t comprehend the need to cross the border for entertainment at a time when tensions on the India-Pakistan border are high. “I’d request the makers of the film to get someone else to dub over Rahat’s voice. I am also not sure why Atif Aslam got to sing ‘Dil diya gallan’ (Tiger Zinda Hai; 2017) when our own Arijit Singh could’ve done a better job,” he said.
Supriyo said India has no problems with either Atif or Rahat. “Our problem is not with Atif or Rahat, but with their nationality. It’s not a political stand, but the families who have lost their sons,
brothers and fathers would probably feel a lot better should the country show solidarity in any manner.”
The director of the film, Chakri Toleti, said he had “no clue” about Supriyo’s remarks when we spoke to him. “It is true that people should be aware of the social context. But some films never get targeted and others do. Why is that? Is it because of the people involved with the film?” says Toleti, adding that using Rahat’s voice was a creative call. “It’s not as if we wanted to create a controversy. We thought his voice would be the best for that situation. Right now, we can’t take any decisions about whether to use someone else’s voice or to retain Rahat’s voice.”