I have no answer, says TP Aggarwal on roping in Pakistani singer after deciding against it

Producer TP Aggarwal had earlier signed on Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to sing a song in his upcoming movie, Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana. But he dropped the singer from the project to show solidarity with the Indian soldiers following the Uri attacks last year. He got the same song recorded from another singer. 

Agarwal heads the Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA). He, along with the rest of the board members, unanimously took the decision to not hire any Pakistani artists till the situation between both the countries improves. 

Speaking exclusively with Cinestaan.com, he had said, “I removed Rahet Fateh Ali Khan’s song from my upcoming film Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laddoo Deewana. Following this, all members at the AGM said that we should not allow Pakistani artistes to perform in India till the situation returns to normal.”

Elaborating his decision, he had said, “Hum mein deshbhakti toh honi chahiye na? We should love our country.” 

However, Aggarwal has now decided to go ahead with Rahat’s version of the song. When we contacted him and inquired about his earlier statement, he said, “I had surely said that. I had also recorded the song with another singer. What happened was that later Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the government decided that it is fine to release films with Pakistani actors that are already ready. Just like Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees.” 

When we prodded further about his earlier decision, he said, “I don’t have any answer to this question of yours. When all are doing it (releasing films with Pakistani artists), when it was decided and even Shah Rukh Khan’s film (with Pakistani actress Mahira Khan) released, why can’t I do that?” 

When asked whether the situation between India and Pakistan has improved considering he has withdrawn his decision of not using the Pakistani singer’s song, he added, “I have never said that. All I am saying is that it was decided by the government that the films that are already made should not face problem. So what can I do?”