Is Salman behind Arijit Singh being replaced by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for Welcome to New York song?

Singer Arijit Singh was reportedly dropped from the 'Ishtehaar' track from Dilijt Dosanjh-starrer Welcome to New York (2018), as reported by News18.com. It’s deja vu for Singh as he has been replaced by Rahat Fateh Ali yet again.

It may be recalled that in 2016 Singh had created a storm when he vented his frustration over being dropped from the 'Jag Ghoomeya' song from Sultan (2016), allegedly at the behest of Salman Khan. Khan had apparently taken offence to a remark by Singh at an awards do. Singh had later expressed his frustration in a long Facebook post then, but later deleted it.

While there was no official confirmation, a reliable source close to the film reluctantly informed, “The song in question in 'Ishtehaar', the one sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. I do not know the real reasons, but Arijit was the first choice. Why he got dropped, you can make your own speculations. Your guess is as good as mine.”

While Khan was the lead actor in Sultan (2016), he has a special song appearance in Welcome to New York. He will be seen in the song 'Nain Phisal Gaye', penned by Kausar Munir and composed by Khan’s good friend brothers Sajid-Wajid. 'Nain Phisal Gaye' is sung by Payal Dev.

The Singh-Khan tussle happened over a joke during an awards do. Khan and Ritesh Deshmukh had called Singh to receive the best singer awards for the song 'Tum Hi Ho' from Aashiqui 2 (2013). Singh, who sported a stubble and looked messy, was mocked by Khan who asked him whether he didn’t sleep the previous night. The singer then joked saying that their (Khan and Deshmukh) jokes put him to sleep.

Who would have thought this banter would cost Singh a song from Sultan? While Singh had expressed his anguish on social media, Khan, while speaking at a media event in June 2016, had rubbished the news saying, “In every movie, there are lots of singers who are replaced. People come and sing. It’s the directors and producers who then make the choice who would be the best voice for the film. One voice was mine as well, my voice was also rejected. They shouldn’t be upset, its life.”

Welcome To New York will be released on 23 February.