Facebook bullies into silence 'Murder 2's' Kashmiri singer

Saim Bhat, the new Kashmiri musical sensation in Bollywood who has lent his voice for two songs in the upcoming Imran Hashmi starrer Murder 2, is facing threats from unknown people in his hometown Srinagar. 

The 25-year-old singer was scheduled to perform in a fund-raising concert for a Kashmiri orphanage when his Facebook page was flooded with hate messages. He even got phone calls warning him not to do the show. 

“I don't know why I am being targeted. I was told not to perform in Kashmir. I fail to understand why. My roots are in Kashmir and I love my valley. But I am not scared. These things will only push me more towards my goal,” Saim told DNA. 

The show which is to be held at Kashmir University complex on July 5 has been cancelled, university sources said. 

After singing two songs for Murder 2, Saim has become an instant celebrity with people flooding him with fan mails. “Both songs have had 20 lakh hits on YouTube in two weeks. It's unbelievable,” he said. 

Playing the guitar at his upmarket residence, Saim said his aim is to bring music back to Kashmir. “I wanted to do the show for a good cause to raise funds; and I know, those who are threatening me are not well wishers of Kashmir.”

“Whom should I complain against? They are my brothers and I do not want to stoop low. My job is to bring smiles on the faces of my people through music. I will continue to do that,” he said.      

Music has always been the first love for the singer who started playing the guitar and piano when he was in kindergarten. “It was my teacher Mrs Pastonjee who taught me the piano. Later, I formed a band of our own but I had to leave for Saudi Arabia with my parents. When I first came back in 1999, I did the first concert in Kashmir when everything was in flames,” he said.

In 2005, Saim fled Saudi Arabia to realise his dream. “I drove to Mumbai all the way from Srinagar. I slept for 14 days in the car. I became a pay guest in that city. I was playing music for Rs1,000 a day to sustain myself. The big break came with Jai Veeru when Bappa Lahri made me sing a song for the film. Then Mithun Sharma made me to sing for Lamha. He again called me and I have sung two songs for Murder 2. He calls me an Expressionist,” he said.