Will Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's song 'Ishtehaar' be deleted from 'Welcome To New York'? Producer Vashu Bhagnani answers

The Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC) have decided to ban the Pakistani artists from working in Hindi Film Industry after Union Minister Babul Supriyo raised objection to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's song Ishtehaar in the upcoming film Welcome To New York. The film stars Sonakshi Sinha and Diljit Dosanjh in the leads and has a host of other Bollywood actors and celebrities making special appearances in the film. 

At a press conference held at New Delhi on Wednesday evening, Suresh Amin, the CEO of IFTPC announced that the council has decided to ban the Pakistani artists from working in Indian film industry. The producer of the film Welcome To New York - Vashu Bhagnani too was present at the press meet. Bhagnani said they will take the message back to Mumbai and will ask all filmmakers not to work with Pakistani artists because “India comes first for us.”

When asked if Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's song Ishtehaar will be removed from the film in the wake of the current developments regarding banning Pakistani artists from the industry, Bhagnani expressed helplessness in taking out the song from the film since “prints have been sent worldwide” and it’s releasing. 

Bhagnani added, "But Babul Supriyo’s remark set me thinking that we need to be more thoughtful towards our soldiers. It’s all about patriotism. I felt guilty of recording the song in Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice. From my next venture itself, I will not rope them in."

For those who've come in late, the decision of banning the Pak artists from working in Bollywood has been triggered by the objection raised by Singer-turned-Union Minister Babul Supriyo, who had objected to the song Ishtehaar sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in the upcoming film Welcome To New York. 

Supriyo, who was also present at the press conference held on Wednesday, maintained that he’s not speaking on behalf of any of the fringe groups and it is his own opinion that "We have been magnanimous enough all these years towards Pakistani artists. But given the incessant violation of cease fire and specially the barbaric and brutal way our soldiers are being killed, it’s time we restrained from giving work to Pakistani artists."