VASHU BHAGNANI’S “ ISHTEHAAR “ ( PUBLICITY )
It’s time to think about our Indian cinema, especially Bollywood. It’s funny how the producer and production houses constantly whine that there are no good scripts or no powerful dialogues as much as they discuss the lack of talent in the music industry. In India, many TV channels and shows hunt for talented singers and dancers. And now, famous filmmakers are hunting for new talent in acting too that’s very encouraging for our kids, teens and youngsters. We already have an overwhelming list of talented winners of many shows which is why it’s shocked me beyond wits when I heard a new song Ishtehaar from the upcoming Hindi movie Welcome To New York.
It’s inexplicable how Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has sung this song. Is it because the makers feel no Indian singer can sing this song? Or is it that they don’t trust Indian talent? Our government has banned Pakistani cricket team from playing in India. Many stand up comics and other performing artists too, have been barred. Every single day there’s something on the news channels about the strained relationship with Pakistan and yet Bollywood filmmakers feel that they have the permission to continue in engaging with Pakistani talent.
It seems that Bollywood filmmakers have long forgotten their pledge to not be associated with Pakistani artists. How else can we explain the fact that producer Vashu Bhagnani has managed to grab eyeballs by getting Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to lend vocals for a song titled “Ishtehaar” for his movie Welcome To New York.
And, that’s not all. Karan Johar too had promised to not collaborate with any talent from across the border but the same doesn’t hold true now that KJo is starring in the same movie which will be having a song sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
Well, we know that as an artist Karan doesn’t have any say in the crew members, but who’s to say what upsets the authorities next.
Is Bollywood following a pattern of religious and cultural controversies to publicize movies and bag huge collections? Everyone knows how sensitive and seriously these controversies are taken. The PADMAAVAT controversy isn’t forgotten yet and sounds like Bollywood filmmakers aren’t really concerned about the frictions created by them in their quest to bag overseas collections.
Even though it’s not about judging one person’s patriotism, but we cannot forget about the efforts of our brave men on the border who risk it all for our safety while all we are concerned with is making money without burning the bridges – at the cost of our country’s respect. Now, even though Vashuji has been a seasoned filmmaker with many setbacks that he has managed to overcome, it would be interesting to see how Mr. Bhagnani escapes this trouble trap!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_to_New_York_(2018_film)
