Visa vows put Atif craze on hold

Mumbai, May 02: Despite being a huge hit in India, Pakistan singer Atif Aslam has to overcome a number of visa issues each time the artist has to fly to the country for an song recording.

Atif’s visa problem has forced Bollywood composer, Pritam Chakraborty, to rush to Lahore to record a song with the singer for the upcoming film `Kismat Konnection`.

`I need to urgently record a song with Atif for Aziz Mirza`s `Kismat Connection`, but he is suddenly having problems with his visa. So he can`t come to Mumbai, I`m flying down to Lahore to record the song with him,` Pritam, who composed music for films like `Life...In a Metro`, told reporters.

Pritam, who is known for using Pakistani voices brought on Atif in his latest project after the singer delivered a super hit number, `O jaan-e-jaana` (Race) that went on to break all records.

The composer, who has roped in another Pak singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for Mani Shankar`s `Mukhbiir`, now says that if the problem persists, he will bring in some Indian singer to record the promotional number for Mani Shankar`s `Mukhbiir`.

`There`s one more song, a special promotional number, which I`ve just composed for Mani Shankar`s `Mukhbiir`. That requires Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. I just might record that song too while I`m in Lahore. Or I may go for an Indian voice.`

Despite all the talk of amity, solidarity and free-flowing cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan, artists from the neighbouring country seem to be finding it hard to obtain permission to come to Mumbai to record songs.

This is not the first incident of such nature. Mahesh Bhatt, who had roped in Pakistan band Jal for his upcoming flick, ‘Jannat’ had faced similar issues.

Talking to reporters, Bhatt said, `If singers from across the border are finding it difficult to come here, then let me tell you, our prime minister had personally assured me that the entertainment industry is free to move back and forth and that the bureaucracy of neither side would be allowed to obstruct us.”