File photos of Mahesh Bhatt and Ghulam Ali.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt on November 5, said that he has approached Pakistani
ghazal singer Ghulam Ali to sing for his play titled
Milne Do, which is a collaborative effort of theatre actors from India and Pakistan.
Ghulam Ali, who made an entry into Indian cinema with his popular song
Chupke Chupke Raat Din for BR Chopra's
Nikaah, cancelled all his scheduled performances in the country, saying that he won't return to India until 'things settle down'. The singer was stopped from performing in Mumbai and Pune last month after threats from Shiv Sena.
Mr Bhatt, whose play narrates an intense love story between two individuals belonging to different cultures, said that he wants to "stitch ties" between India and Pakistan with Ghulam Ali's voice.
"He (Ghulam Ali) has been approached and he has gracefully agreed to sing and be a part of the peace endeavour through performing arts. I can't say whether he will come to India or not, but he will certainly sing a song which will be a part of the play," Mr Bhatt told IANS. (Also Read:
Salman Khan Finds 'No Political Agenda' in Ghulam Ali Issue)
Milne Do will be staged on April 24 next year at the Shri Ram Centre in New Delhi before it travels to other cities in India and Pakistan.
Laal Band from Pakistan has composed the music and will perform live during the play, the story for which has been written by Suhrita, the writer of
Hamari Adhuri Kahani.
"
Milne Do also explains that human interaction is the only route through which distances created in the hearts of the people can be scaled down," added Mr Bhatt.
"Ghulam Ali
sahib, a world icon, has been the
ghazal king for years and has been visiting our country for many years. He had an unpleasant experience here in India and we personally, the government - both in Maharashtra and at the Centre, have without any hesitation conceded that it was not the right kind of treatment," said Mr Bhatt.