The Pakistani element has almost invariably crept into the music of all Salman Khan films, whether it was Dil diya gallan in Tiger Zinda Hai by Atif Aslam or Jag ghoomiya in Sultan sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
Each time, the issue of a boycott on Pakistani talent had risen and died down, as Salman’s fans were apparently willing to condone him for anything. But the Pulwama carnage has changed that sentiment drastically.
There is now a huge demand among Salman’s hardcore fans to get rid of songs sung by Pakistani singers. Dozens of tweets have in fact warned the superstar that if the terror-sponsoring nation’s talent is included in Bharat, they won’t watch the film.
Acting swiftly, Salman has not only donated a substantial sum to the Martyrs’ Fund, he has also ensured that the offensive songs have been removed from Bharat.
A source reveals, “This time, Salman knows that he can’t ignore the demand to ban the Pakistani singers. And while he believes the voices of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam suit him best, there are far bigger truths to tackle right now. To cling stubbornly to the unwanted elements for purely selfish reasons would damage his reputation severely. That is a risk he is not willing to take.”
Meanwhile, sources from Salman’s camp inform that the tracks recorded with Pakistani singers for Bharat are quietly being dropped.
“They will re-record the songs in Indian voices and pretend that the other voices from over the barbed fence never happened,” says a close friend of the superstar.
