Babul Supriyo softened his stance against the ban on Pakistani singers

Union Minister Babul Supriyo took a stand against Pakistani actors recently. He felt that Pakistani artists should not be encouraged to work in India.

The singer turned Minister was speaking at a promotional event for the movie Welcome to Newyork where he felt that his opinion was blown out of proportion.

Due to the ongoing controversy over Pakistani singers, the film has gone through a rough patch for one of its songs — Ishtehaar.

Supriyo had earlier said that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice in the above mentioned song must be removed and dubbed by someone else as he was not able to comprehend the need or desire to cross the border for entertainment at a time when tensions on the India-Pakistan border had escalated.

Supriyo elaborated on the controversial subject, “It is an old saying, no good act goes unpunished. It’s a similar case with this film. Being a citizen, it’s my duty to adhere to the norms and also to take a stand for our soldiers who struggle everyday at the borders. If not now but in future, we must ban Pakistani singers temporarily for sometime and it would be great if Bollywood takes some stern action about it. let this film become a super hit. And the more succesful the film becomes, the more we will be able to spread the word of Indianism worldwide.”

He added, “The producer has already spent a lot of money on the making of the song. But in future, we will probably take a stand on banning the Pakistani artists for some time.”

The other song Pant me gun is also under the scanner. “This morning when I reached the office, I already had three notices lying on the desk. Though our own Police keeps a gun in their pants but when the same is being sung as a phrase in a song, it is perceived in a negative light. The phrase doesn’t hold any double-meaning. It’s just that every filmmaker adds a creative element to his work and that’s the only reason for keeping this as the title of the song. Eventually, if the song has Censor Board’s approval, people should support it” said producer Vashu Bhagnani.

Following Supriyo’s suggestion, the film’s director Chakri Toleti said that they are yet to decide the fate of the song.

Rahat tweeted : “In midst of so much being said all I can say is music has no boundaries and I thank everyone for showing so much love for the songs which I am a part of.”

Acclaimed Pakistani Rahat has been singing for Bollywood films since 2003. He has delivered many hits like Mann ki lagan, Jiya dhadak dhadak, Bol na halke halke and O re piya.