After the URI attacks in September 2016, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association banned Pakistani artists and technicians from working in Bollywood
The line between art and politics in India has always been blurry. And, inevitably, politics has always managed to intrude the other way.
After the URI attacks in September 2016, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association banned Pakistani artists and technicians from working in Bollywood "until normalcy returns". The organisation’s president, TP Aggarwal went further ahead and said Pakistanis would be banned “for ever”, and asked the Indian government to boot them from the country.
IMPPA’s statement came ater the threats issued by Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. The party had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistani artistes and actors including Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan and Ali Zafar, to leave India or else they would be “pushed out”.
But actors weren't the only ones who were targeted. The ban also affected the music industry. Several prominent Pakistani singers like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam faced the brunt of the govt's decision as their concerts got cancelled.
In March 2018, IMPPA demaned a ban on work permits to all Pakistani artists. The demands were expressed through a letter from the IMPPA president T P Aggarwal directly to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the letter, Aggarwal requested that the PM take into account the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers and make a decision once and for all.
“It is our request to the government of India to bar the work permits of all Pakistani artists working in different departments of the Indian film and music industry,” it read.
“Not only as entertainment professionals but also as Indians, we are immensely hurt by the rude behaviour portrayed by Pakistani artists with regard to Pakistani terrorism.”
IMPPA also demanded for visa restrictions to be amplified and requested a complete ban on the issuance of visas for all Pakistanis.
However, surprisingly enough, despite all these bans, Atif Aslam continued to bag lucrative projects in India. The ace-singer has given more than 11 hit songs in the past two years. While Bollywood celebs 'condemned' terrorist attacks on Twitter, music label companies continued to sign Pakistani artists.
Recently in wake of the dastardly Pulwama terror attacks in Kashmir, T-Series was forced to unlist Atif's music single ‘Baarishein’ on YouTube.
1. Dil Diyan Gallan - Tiger Zinda Hai
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While Arijit Singh fans were already miffed with Salman Khan for allegedly snatching away songs from the talented singer, they were even more irked for the 'Tiger Zinda Hai' actor preferring Pakistani singer Atif Aslam over an Indian vocalist.
Singer-turned-politician Babul Supriyo had expressed strong reservations on this while extending support to Arijit.
2. Pehli Dafa with Illeana D'Cruz
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Atif Aslam's music video 'Pehli Dafa', starring Bollywood actor Illeana D'Cruz, also faced Bhartiya Janata Party's wrath. Besides Atif, the video-director and composer Shiraz Uppal and the lyricist Shakeel Sohail were also from across the border, which drew the ire of the party.
A BJP spokesperson, Shaina NC, condemning the project backer, T-Series, said on the issue: “Why does our entertainment industry need to go there for talent when relations between the two countries have hit the lowest ebb? Are we so short of talent ourselves? I see no point in hurting sentiments.”
3. Jaane De - Qarib Qarib Singlle
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By the time Irrfan Khan's 'Qarib Qarib Singlle' released in November 2017, people seemed to forget the 'informal-ban' on Pakistani artists as they celebrated Atif's comeback in Bollywood.
4. Hoor - Hindi Medium
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Irrfan Khan shot for not one but three promotional tracks (including the romantic track Hoor) for 'Hindi Medium' with Pakistani actress Saba Qamar in Tbilisi, Georgia and nobody seemed to mind. People infact showered huge love on Atif's 'Hoor'.
5. Darasal - Raabta
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By now, it had become a new normal.
6. Jab Koi Baat - with DJ Chetas and Shirley Setia
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Atif and Shirley Setia's redux of Bollywood classic 'Jab Koi Baat' from Vinod Khanna's 'Jurm' went on to rule music charts for several months.
7. Paniyon Sa - Satyameva Jayate
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This one too was an instant favourite with the netizens.
8. O Meri Laila - Laila Majnu
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'O Meri Laila song from Laila Majnu out, Atif Aslam gives another song to get hooked,' read a headline.
9. O Saathi - Baaghi 2
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After a long lull, the ban once again raised its head in March 2018 as Atif Aslam's name got ommitted from Baaghi 2's song 'O Saathi'. The song posted on the official YouTube channel of T-Series credited everyone including the music director and lyricist but Atif Aslam.
10. Tere Liye - Namaste England
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The ban once again took a hike, as Bollywood's leading actress Parineeti Chopra publically professed her love for Atif. "Always wanted to do an Atif Aslam song. Made it easier to romance Arjun Kapoor which is otherwise very difficult', she tweeted. Arjun thanked Atif with an even better comeback. "Thanks Atif Aslam can't wait to lip sync it while Parineeti Chopra stands and watches..." Atif laughed and added that he's loving the chemistry!
11. Tera Huya - Loveyatri
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With 'Tera Huya', Bollywood in a way declared that 'Atif Aslam is here to stay'.
However, the 'Baarishein' controversy, has once again put the spotlight on the singer and it remains to be seen what trajectory will his career take in the Hindi film industry from here on.
