| He is known for his firebrand image. Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya is also known for the strong emotional bond that he forms with the contestants he judges on talent hunt shows. But, it was this emotional streak that landed him in a controversy, when recently, he objected to bringing back a non-Indian contestant Musarrat through a wild card entry instead of an Indian. And predictably so, he paid a heavy price for calling a spade a spade. But not anymore, he says in a no-holds-barred tête-à-tête... Have you sorted out the differences over Pakistani singer Musarrat? Let me put it this way, why should I become a reformer when no one minds being short changed by what is happening in the industry today. I am not the kind of judge who’d accept Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000 and sit on talent hunt shows that’re being dictated by shoddy scripts written to push up the TRPs. I gave up Rs 70 lakhs to fight for our Indian contestants who are far more talented than the whole world put together. But I will not fight anymore. If contestants’ parents are not bothered about their children’s future, which is being robbed by non-Indians, who am I to stop them? You really feel our kids’ future is being robbed by participants from abroad? Hundred per cent. Just watch when the auditions happen, where kids stand in long lines for days hoping to get selected. But participants from Pakistan are put on a flight and given direct entry into these shows, why? Kya khasiyat hai inme? Hindustan ke galli-galli mein Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan mil jayega, but unki koi kadar nahin. Par ek Pakistan se aa gaya toh humne usse sar pe utha liya. You don’t think there is any talent in Pakistan? Aatif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and hundred others are nothing compared to our singers like Javed Ali, Soham, Bulli, Raja Hassan, but no one wants to give them a chance. They say I am biased if I reprimand Musarrat – because he’s a Pakistani, but they don’t mind if I shout at Raja Hassan because he is an Indian. What sort of hypocrisy is this? You have been very vocal over the choice of Musarrat? I have always said that our children should be given first preference. But desh ki maryada ko dao pe lagana aaj kal fashion ho gaya hai. I don’t know why do we have such a complex when it comes to shoving Pakistan back to where it belongs – the other side of the border? But not everyone agrees with your stand? Yes, I have been fighting alone for seven-eight years in this industry. But it’s a shame that as Indians we have such a low regard for our nationality when it comes to protecting our kids’ welfare. So now, I too have decided not to make a hue and cry about it. What upsets you the most about the music industry today? No other country will allow foreigners to work and earn so freely as we allow them here. They come here, earn crores, build assets, but does our government bother to check if they pay tax? Why are the Advanis, Karats, Mulayams and Kalams, all quiet over this? If I want to make a living in the US or the UK I need a working permit, while in Pakistan we are not even allowed to enter the country. Then why are we so large-hearted in the glamour and entertainment industry? |
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