Punjabi singer Mika Singh was recently banned by the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) for performing at a wedding in Karachi in Pakistan.
While Mika still awaits a final verdict on the matter, a report by Mid Day claims that if any artiste works with Mika, then he or she, too, could get banned.
AICWA and FWICE issued notices, where no one from the industry is permitted to work with the Punjabi singer. This was in reference to the upcoming six-city gig in the US, where Bollywood actor Salman Khan will perform with Mika.
The gig titled ‘Up, Close and Personal With Salman Khan’ has been scheduled for next week. The singer is expected to join them in the Houston leg of the programme, due to take place on August 28.
Ashok Dubey, general secretary, FWICE, explained the technicalities of the ban. He told Mid Day: “If we impose a ban, it means all our technicians—including actors, directors and even spot boys—will not work with Mika. If someone works with Mika during this ban, say Salman or anyone else, then he, too, will be banned.”
Commenting on whether the ban applies to gigs held outside the country, Dubey said: “Whether it’s an organiser from the US or any other country, we cannot stop anybody from conducting an event. Our policy is simple—we will not work with the person who has been banned.”
The gig has been organised by Sohail Khan's event management team with Jordy Patel of JA Events in India and Bhavesh Patel in the US.
The report quotes Jordy as saying, “We are only dealing with Bhavesh Patel as our contract is with him. Some local promoter in the US must have signed on Mika and added him to the line-up. Salman will have nothing to do with Mika at the event. They will not even interact on stage.”