August 12, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): The veteran singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is back in the country. But, now he’s facing opposition from Maharasthra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The political party has raised its voice against the presence of the Pakistani singer and little kids in Chhote Ustaad. The party has already sent a notice to the channel asking these artists to leave the land immediately. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is all set to win over his agitator.
Star Plus has refused to relent. They’ve beefed up security and have vowed to continue the show. The Pakistani singer, who is one of the judges, couldn’t make it to the show last week as he failed to get his visa. He turned up at the show yesterday. Interestingly, Khan and the show’s makers are trying to win over the Marathi manoos.
Present at the shoot yesterday was the legendary songstress, Asha Bhosle. Besides the presence of such a glittering personality from the music world of Bollywood, a Marathi song sung by the contestants took the show to a new high.
“Asha Bhosle was the special guest at the show yesterday. The contestants sang a Marathi song. Rahat made a clean abreast of not knowing the language. He requested Ashaji to teach him the language. There is no denying that all these efforts are being made to please the MNS. The show wants to promote the message that music goes beyond languages and geographical boundaries. The MNS is expected to respect this spirit and call off the unjust protest,” said a source from the sets.
Rahat must have expressed his desire to learn the Marathi language. But will Asha have time to give him lessons on the language?
–Mayur Lookhar/ Sampurn Wire
