Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; January 31, 2014)

Ever since Shah Rukh Khan included the song Lungi Dance in his film, Chennai Express - much to the chagrin of the film’s composers Vishal- Shekhar - Yo Yo Honey Singh has been part of King Khan’s several stage acts. He took part in SRK’s Temptations Reloaded concerts in Australia and New Zealand in October last year along with the likes of Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukerji, Jacqueline Fernandez and Meiyang Chang. However, all this is set to change as SRK’s upcoming concert in Malaysia now has singer Arijit Singh (credited with the hit song Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2) in place of Honey Singh.

Says a source, “The new posters for the Temptations Reloaded concert feature Arjit, and not Honey. The rap singer had cemented his friendship with Shah Rukh after the song Lungi Dance and the star is fond of him. No stage appearance of SRK’s is complete without his Lungi Dance routine with Honey. It so happens that the rapper is giving the concert a miss and hence, Arijit, who has now become a popular name, has been roped in.”

Honey’s spokesperson says, “The Malaysia concert has been rescheduled but Honey has certain other commitments. He would love to be part of the tour and is trying hard to work around his schedule but right now, it doesn’t look like he will be able to make it.” Meanwhile, there has also been speculation that Honey has hiked his fees and has taken on too many projects.

His spokesperson denies this though. “For Honey, Shah Rukh Khan and Cineyug, the show’s producers, will always come first,” says the source.

It may be recalled here that SRK’s Malaysia concert was initially scheduled to take place on October 11. But with US President Barrack Obama slated to visit Malaysia around the same date, rising security concerns made the organisers cancel the show.