Lifting ‘unofficial’ ban: Mahesh Bhatt signs Shafqat Amanat Ali for his play

Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt has become the first person from the industry to break the unofficial ban on Pakistani artistes.

He is reported to have signed Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali to sing for his play titled Milne Do, according to Indian media.

The play, which is schedule to be staged in Delhi in June, is based on the concept of cross border relations. Ali will record for his portions in Pakistan as his tight schedule does not allow him to travel to India.

The singer said that the reason he agreed to the project is because the play is about promoting peace.

Bhatt, who has directed films such as Zakham and Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Hai, said it is "an initiative to revive the cultural ties, which were completely eroded after the extreme positions, decisions taken by both countries post the Uri attack," reports Times of India.

An unofficial ban was imposed on Pakistani artistes after Uri attacks, which left 19 soldiers dead in September, 2016. The Indian government blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the attack and the relations between the two countries turned sour.

As a result, Bollywood put an unofficial ban on Pakistani artistes while Pakistani cinema houses refused to screen Indian movies. However, the conditions improved this year and Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kaabil became the first Indian movie to be released in Pakistan after a period of five-months.