“No BAD BLOOD; Salman Khan only adhered to the sentiments and emotions of the country” - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's spokesperson on Dabangg 3

Bollywood Hungama was the first one to tell you yesterday that the ‘Naina Lade’ song of Dabangg 3 was initially sung by famous Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. ‘Naina’ is a flagship song of the franchise and the singer had sung ‘Tere Mast Mast Do Nain’ and ‘Tore Naina Dagabaaz Re’ in Dabangg and Dabangg 2 respectively. Hence, it was natural for Salman Khan and music director duo Sajid-Wajid to rope in Rahat for the ‘Naina’ track in the third instalment as well. The song was recorded successfully, after which the relations strained between India and Pakistan. As a result, Salman Khan and the entire Dabangg 3 team decided to drop his voice. He was then replaced by Javed Ali.

It has now come to light that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan understood why Salman Khan took this decision of replacing his voice and has no hard feelings. Rahat’s producer and global promoter Salman Ahmed confirmed this fact to Pakistani newspaper Dawn and also revealed that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan sung not one, but two songs for Dabangg 3. “Basically two songs were recorded for Dabangg 3. Everyone wanted the songs and they're really good. This song ‘Naina’ is lovely and everyone misses the fact that Rahat sahab's version couldn't go on. But at the end of the day of course he (Salman Khan) has to see the interests of his country, so I don’t think the artist has choices there given the circumstances,” says Salman Ahmed.

Salman Ahmed further adds, “If the song (Rahat’s version) would’ve been released, there’d be controversies, the film would have been affected and nobody wants that. That’s why we didn’t do the song,” and also makes it clear, “It’s not bad blood. It’s not like Salman Khan purposely dropped the song.”

Salman Ahmed signed off by stating, “At this moment, (given) the emotions and sentiments of that industry and the country, he (Salman) only adhered to them. Otherwise we all know there are people who want a reason to damage Salman Khan’s reputation by creating a fuss and having needless controversies. There’s no bad blood, nothing intentional. I would say it is more circumstantial than anything else and that’s about it.”

Also Read: Post dropping Rahat Fateh Ali Khan makers rope in Javed Ali for Salman Khan starrer Dabangg 3