Why are we being targeted like this?: Welcome To New York director Chakri Toleti

Singer-turned-Union minister Babul Supriyo yesterday (19 February) slammed the makers of Welcome To New York for having Pakistani singer Rahet Fateh Ali Khan sing the ‘Ishtehar’ song.

Supriyo added that it is time the Hindi film industry takes a stand against working with Pakistani artists till the country puts a halt to its "cross border terrorism".

He also asked the makers of Welcome To New York to remove the song and replace it with a version sung by an Indian singer.

However, director Chakri Toleti thinks the film is being targeted. As per an official statement by the director, the makers of the film did not want to hurt anyone's sentiments.

“I don't understand why we are being targeted like this. Our film Welcome To New York releases this Friday and this is just too much stress. We have made an entertaining film and we don't want to hurt anyone,” he said.

A statement from the producers also adds that they “are contemplating steps to be undertaken in order for the film to have a smooth release.”

Welcome To New York will hit the theatres on Friday, 23 February.

The film has an ensemble cast of Karan Johar, Diljit Dosanjh, Sonakshi Sinha, Riteish Deshmukh, Boman Irani, Lara Dutta, Sushant Singh Rajput and Rana Daggubati. Salman Khan will also be seen in a cameo.

Click here to predict the film's box-office performance.