Lahore calling for Pritam

Pak singer Atif Aslam can’t travel to India. So composer Pritam will fly to Lahore to record track with him

Composer Pritam Chakraborty is in a dilemma. He needs to urgently record a track with Pakistani singer Atif Aslam for Aziz Mirza’s Kismet Connection, starring Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan. Faced with passport issues, the crooner can’t travel to India now.

Atif, who has rendered popular B-Town tracks like Pehli Nazar Mein (Race), Tere Bin (Bas Ek Pal) and Aadat (Kalyug) apart from his album Doorie, would frequently visit India.

“Atif is having an issue aboutcoming to Mumbai,” points out Pritam. What does the composer plan to do? “I will be flying down to Lahore to record the song with him!” he declares.

Taken aback

Mahesh Bhatt, who led Bollywood’s music towards Pakistani singers is shocked about the development on Atif’s front.

Says Bhatt, “If singers from across the border are finding it difficult to come here, let me state that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured me that entertainment industry folk were free to move back and forth. Neither side would be allowed to obstruct us. If there’s a slowing-down in the process of thawing the ice between the two countries, I’ll personally go to the Prime Minister and address the issue.”

Bhatt, who started the movement of musicians and actors from across the border to Bollywood, says “In those days, looking towards Pakistan was looked upon as an act of treason.

I was told what I was doing was suicidal. During the last four years, we’ve done more to improve Indo-Pak relations than our predecessors have done in 56 years. We’re even premiering Jannat in Pakistan on May 14.”

Apart from recording with Atif, Pritam may also record with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. “There’s a special promotional number which I’ve just composed for Mani Shankar’s Mukhbir. It requires Rahat’s voice. I just might record that song too while I’m in Lahore or I may go for an Indian voice.”