Thaindian News

By Dibyojyoti Baksi
Mumbai, Feb 15 (IANS) The manic headlines on Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s detention in Delhi on the charge of carrying undisclosed foreign currency have upset some in the music fraternity on both sides of the border, but there are those who have preferred not to comment. Rahat was detained at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport Sunday on his way back to Pakistan after attending concerts and award functions in India. More than $100,000 was recovered from the 15-member troupe.

“It’s sad. I don’t know the details of the situation like how and why it happened. We all respect him and I am a big fan of his. I believe what happens, happens for the best,” Ali Zafar, the Pakistani musician and singer, told IANS. He arrived in India Monday to release his music album “Jhoom”.

Rahat was released Monday after two days of interrogation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, but was not permitted to leave India.

“What has happened is very unfortunate because he is an artist first. We will all know what the exact truth is. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan doesn’t just belong to Pakistan but he is also one of the finest singers of India,” director and music composer Vishal Bhardwaj told IANS.

“Even if something has happened, he is an artist, so one shouldn’t be harsh on him. He should be allowed to go back, he is one of the prized artists of both countries.”

IANS tried contacting others from the music industry like Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan and Prasoon Joshi to get their comment on the issue, but to no avail.

Rahat bagged two awards — Star Screen Awards for Best Male Playback and Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer — for the song “Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji” of “Ishqiya”, which was composed by Bhardwaj.

He also received Big Star Entertainment Awards Best Singer, Mirchi Music Awards Best Male Vocalist and Apsara Award for Best Playback Singer for the song “Tere Mast Mast Do Nain” from actor Salman Khan starrer “Dabangg”.