Couldn't Work With Atif Aslam Due to Cross-border Tension, Says Director Onir
Onir might have missed the chance to work with Atif this time, but he says he will definitely work with him in the future.
Image: File photos of Atif Aslam, Onir.
New Delhi: National Award winning director Onir says he wanted to work with Pakistani singing sensation Atif Aslam for Shab, but couldn't due to the cross-border tension.
Onir might have missed the chance to work with Atif this time, but he says he will definitely work with him in the future.
The director feels it will be a "loss for both industries" if the gap between the two is not bridged with the exchange of talent.
"I really wanted to (work with Atif Aslam). It would have been so amazing, just like a retreating therapy. But unfortunately, at the point when we had to record, things were not great between (the neighbouring countries)... There were a lot of problems happening with films and ours being a small film I couldn't afford that kind of thing," Onir said over the phone from Mumbai.
The entertainment industries on both sides of the border felt the after-effects following the Uri attack in India last year. A few Indian outfits imposed a ban on Pakistani artistes working in India and then some Pakistani theatres pulled down Indian movies.
Filmmaker Karan Johar had a hard time in releasing his Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.
Onir, who has helmed critically acclaimed movies like My Brother Nikhil, Bas Ek Pal and I Am, is not happy with the cross-border tension spilling into the entertainment world. But he says the situation is complex.
"I understood the sensitivity. I have a lot of friends in Pakistan and I have been to the country. I think it is a loss for both our industry if we don't exchange talent but the entire situation is complex. Both me and Atif discussed (about it). We will work together in future if we didn't do this."
As a tribute to his friendship with Atif, Onir has got "one of his old songs Tere Bin in the film" as a background score.
Atif recorded the 2006 hit song Tere bin for Onir's film Bas Ek Pal.
Shab features Raveena Tandon, Ashish Bisht and marks the debut of French actor Simon Frenay in Bollywood. The romance-drama is about dreams and relationships.
Talking about the film, Onir said: "The journey with Shab was very special. It started 17 years ago when I wrote the first draft of Shab. It has been a really long journey."
Set in Delhi, the film tells a story that revolves around the search for happiness and love of multiple characters. It will hit the screens on June 30.
Get the best of News18 delivered to your inbox - subscribe to News18 Daybreak. Follow News18.com on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, TikTok and on YouTube, and stay in the know with what's happening in the world around you – in real time.
- Friday 26 July , 2019 Have You Watched Hilarious 'Avengers Endgame' Blooper Reel Yet?
- Thursday 18 July , 2019 Lion king Movie Review: Despite Shah Rukh-Aryan Pairing, Film Lacks Original’s Emotion
- Thursday 04 July , 2019 Spider-Man: Far From Home Review| Peter Parker Takes Us on Engrossing Vacation
- Friday 12 July , 2019 Super 30 Movie Review: Hrithik Roshan Leads Emotional Tale of Dreams And Hopes
Live TV
Recommended For You
ISL 2019-20: NorthEast United FC vs Chennaiyin FC in Guwahati Postponed Due to CAB Protests
PUBG Mobile Addiction: 20-Year-Old Drinks Chemical Instead of Water While Playing Game
Virat Kohli Dedicates India's T20I Win to Anushka Sharma, Says It's Special Wedding Anniversary Gift
India’s Personal Data Protection Bill is Heading For Review: Everything You Must Know
Pakistani Fans Roast 'Injured' Pacer Hasan Ali for Walking Down the Ramp With 'Rib Fractures'