Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; July 17, 2017)

When the controversy surrounding Pakistani-actor Fawad Khan’s role in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil was bubbling last year, Ajay Devgn, whose film Shivaay was clashing with the Karan Johar film supported the ban on the use of Pakistani artistes in Indian films, which was called for by a political party in India. Ajay had gone on record to say that he won’t be working with Pakistani artistes. But Devgn recently launched a song of his next release Baadshaho — Mere Rashke Qamar — the qawwali, originally sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, which has been recreated by the veteran’s nephew and shagird, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

An industry source says, “It’s surprising how Ajay went back on his words, so quickly. Last year, he was going all out against Karan and claiming that he should have got Fawad replaced in the film and that there is an exchange of bullets now and that leaves no room for an exchange of culture. How much has changed in the last one year that Ajay suddenly had a change of heart? It’s so close to the Amarnath attacks. Relations with the neighbouring country are still strained. Honestly, this shows the hypocrisy that exists in the industry.”

So, was the whole furore against ADHM just because at that time it was all about Ajay vs Karan? Will KJo raise this issue of the Pakistani singer in Ajay’s film now? Watch this space...