In the 1990s, there was a short phase when cultural exchange between India and Pakistan was encouraged. Indian singers would visit the neighbouring country and India got a chance to host qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on many occasions. Nusrat saab, as he was popularly known, was an international icon and in India too, his music was loved by the masses. In those days, he even composed for some Hindi films like Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya and Kachche Dhaage. In a recent interview, Ajay Devgn recalled an anecdote from the making of the film when Anand Bakshi gave a cold shoulder to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Ajay recalled that Bakshi burst into tears and confessed that he was a victim of his ego.
In a chat with The Lallantop, Ajay recalled the 1990s and called Bakshi and Khan a “lethal combination.” Ajay shared that Nusrat saab was visiting from Pakistan and at that time “he weighed a lot then so it was difficult for him to walk. He needed a few people’s assistance to walk. His car was also different.” Ajay said that a music session was scheduled for Bakshi and Khan at a popular Mumbai hotel but Bakshi never showed up. “Bakshi saab didn’t come so the session was cancelled. Next day, again he didn’t show up. This happened consecutively for 4-5 days and Bakshi saab never showed up,” he said.
Ajay shared that Nusrat saab didn’t understand what was happening so he decided to pay a visit to Bakshi’s house. “Bakshi saab used to live in Bandra on the first floor and there was no lift in his building. Nusrat saab said if Bakshi isn’t coming, then take me to him. Bakshi saab was watching from his window when Nusrat saab’s car pulled up. He saw four people helping him get out of the car and taking the stairs with such difficulty. Bakshi saab just burst into tears. He practically clenched Nusrat saab’s feet and said ‘I don’t know why I was living in this ego that this man has come from a different country but he expects me to go to him so we can work together. But please forgive me, I will come to your place and we will work’,” Ajay recalled. He said that both veteran artistes respected each other but such ego hassles sometimes just show up out of nowhere.
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Previously, Kachche Dhaage director Milan Luthria spoke about this incident with Showsha and said that Nusrat saab had realised why Bakshi wasn’t coming and to put an end to the ego battle, he decided to visit this house. This gesture overwhelmed Anand Bakshi and from then on, they made great partners.
It was shortly after composing music for a few Hindi films that Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan passed away in 1997.
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