Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 5, 2017)

A four-city tour of India by Pakistani music band Fuzon has been cancelled after the members were unable to procure visas. The three-member pop rock band, which has lent music to Raveena Tandon’s comeback vehicle, Maatr, was to arrive in the country in the second week of April for promotions.

A source from the production unit says, “[Securing] visa was the primary issue. Officials at the visa office also advised the team against the concert. [They feared] relations between the countries would be further affected if right-wing elements caused harm to Fuzon or their property during performance.”

Meanwhile, back in Karachi, the band, comprising Khurram Iqbal, Shallum Asher Xavier and Imran Momina, has been asked not to fly to India. Initially, Maatr makers had decided against including any songs in the gritty thriller, but during editing, producer Anjum Rizvi realised Fuzon’s music would give the movie heft.

While the band remained unavailable for comment, Anjum says, “The recording was done in their studio in Pakistan. Momina felt Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice would be perfect for the song Zindagi Ae Zindagi, which is an emotional track mapping Raveena’s journey as a mother in the film. It is a deep song that people will connect to. They recorded the song at Rahat’s home in Lahore. I believe art and culture should remain independent of politics. I feel ordinary citizens of both countries want peace, no one wants these tensions and threat of war,” Anjum signs off.