An event where Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali was scheduled to unveil the music of Indian film “Ghar Wapsi” had to be cancelled here on Monday after some protestors turned up shouting slogans against the celebrated singer.
Ghulam Ali has not just sung in the film, but has also made his acting debut with it.
Officials at the Hotel Royal Plaza, where the launch was to take place, cancelled the event stating threat from Hindu Sena if the launch happened.
Just before the conference was to start, some people reached the venue and protested, chanting "Ghulam Ali Muradabad".
"Ghar Wapsi" is directed by Suhaib Ilyasi, who condemned the incident.
“We had requested Delhi Police and ministry of home affairs for security for Ghulam Ali-ji and the venue where the press conference for 'Ghar Wapsi' was supposed to take place," Ilyasi told reporters here.
“We were given the security, but sadly again the management of a private hotel (Hotel Royal Plaza) chickened out because of some protests. They have cancelled the event from taking place, a black marking on the exchange of love between two countries (India and Pakistan)," he added.
This comes after the film's music launch was first cancelled in Mumbai on January 29 following reported threats from Shiv Sena.
"Ghar Wapsi", which is in the final stages of post-production, is about a family that is faced with multifarious issues and the dilemma of a cultural identity; and which is unable to cope with the cultural dichotomy during their homecoming.
The film also stars Farida Jalal, Zarina Wahab, Alok Nath, Reema Lagoo, Deepak Tijori, Srishti Goutam and Harsh Nagar.
AMAR SINGH CONDEMNS TREATMENT TOWARDS GHULAM ALI
Former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh on Monday condemned the cancellation of an event where Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali had to launch the music of Indian film "Ghar Wapsi" here.
The management of a hotel in central Delhi cancelled the music launch at the eleventh hour when some people protesting against the presence of Ghulam Ali, who has not only sung but also acted in the Suhaib Ilyasi directorial.
Amar Singh, who also has a part to play in the movie, said the treatment meted out to the celebrated singer is "extremely disappionting".
Even with a large police force guarding the venue, a bunch of protestors came forward to threaten the management of the hotel, chanting slogans like "Ghulam Ali muradabad" and disrupted the event.
When Amar Singh reached the venue, he was stopped outside the gates of the hotel.
Asked to comment on the cancellation of the event, Singh told reporters here that nobody can stop Ghulam Ali from doing his work and from showcasing his talent.
"You cannot bind Ghulam Ali in borders and religion... How can anyone stop Ghulam Ali's art? We detest this whole episode and the treatment, it is extremely disappointing," he said.
He added that Ghulam Ali's music is evergreen, and it is something that will keep him alive for generations altogether.
When the hotel's management was questioned about why the press conference and music launch event was cancelled, a representative told IANS: "We are just doing our job."
This latest cancellation of the film's music launch follows the January 29 cancellation of the event in Mumbai after reported threats.
