Governments should ensure strong Indo-Pak bonding: Shafqat Amanat Ali

A huge fan of Amitabh Bachchan,

Shafqat Amanat Ali

is overjoyed by the double honour.Ahead of the T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan, the singer opens up on cricket, cinema and all things in between. Excerpts:

How does it feel to be back in Kolkata to sing the National Anthem of Pakistan at the T20 World Cup?

It feels amazing. Sourav Ganguly -I'm a great fan of his -called me up. I'll be opening the ceremony by singing the National Anthem and it's a great honour. The prospect of standing next to Mr Bachchan when he is singing the Indian National Anthem, and I mine, has thrilled me. Both are a matter of great honour -sharing the dais with Mr Bachchan and singing for my team.

Have you been a great admirer of Amitabh Bachchan's films?

I have always been a great admirer of Mr Bachchan. I have grown up on his films, much like everyone else...

Which of his films are your favourites?

I think I should be asked which of his films are not my favourites! Every time Manmohan Desai would make a film with him, we knew it was going to be a sure-shot hit. Yash Chopraji also made some fascinating movies. Who can forget Trishul or Kabhie Kabhie? After that, there was a time when he hit a rough patch, but I even enjoyed films like Toofan and Jaadugar.But Mr Bachchan was back with a bang. I not only admire him as a great actor, but also as a great human being -he never gave up but kept going.

Zanjeer is my all-time favourite and of course,

Sholay

has a cult following.

In Agneepath, he changed his voice completely . Then there are films like Main Azad Hoon... I have seen all.

Tell us about the euphoria surrounding the match in Pakistan.

It's such an important match. I think if people apply for a holiday to the government, they may get one. People will go home early , the roads will be empty and everyone will be glued to the TV . People will be screaming and jumping in the air, and may take out the anger on the TV set if things go wrong.

Who is your favourite player in the current Pakistan team?

Mohammad Amir. I am heavily counting on him and I'm sure he'll do a great job. He has come back after a rough patch, but he has proven again that he is the same Amir -he hasn't changed one bit. When he started off and played his first match, people said he was going to be the next Wasim Akram. But then the unfortunate incident (spot-fixing scandal) happened and many thought he will not be the same Amir, but he has proven everyone wrong.He has the same talent, ease, range...

Any favourites from Team India?

There are many good batsmen. I particularly like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina. They can play under pressure. And of course, there's Virat Kohli.

So, you watch a lot of cricket?

Like every Indian and Pakistani, I have grown up not just watching but also playing cricket. There was no other sport that got me hooked more than cricket. Both football and hockey are important sports, but I never had the talent to play them. Cricket is what got me involved from an early age.

For someone like you, who has a considerable body of work in both India and Pakistan, is it difficult to root for one team?

I have been watching cricket and have seen a lot of cricketers -players from other countries like Hansie Cronje -getting involved in betting scandals when I was least suspecting them. That has disappointed me. The presence of bookies and those involved in betting rackets has turned me off. Today , I feel whoever plays with honesty and works hard should win.

In February, Sharmila Tagore could not cross the Wagah Border as Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (Immigration) did not have a police report of her stay in Lahore. Anupam Kher faced visa problems ahead of Karachi Literary Festival. On the other hand, Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt Ghulam Ali saab's concert in Mumbai and he was later invited by the Mamata Banerjee government to perform in Kolkata. Do you think such issues have strained the relationship between the two countries in recent times?

It's ridiculous that people like Anupam Kherji or Shabana Azmiji or Sharmilaji should face such problems. In the same way , it's ridiculous that Ghulam Ali saab should face a hostile situation in Mumbai. There are a bunch of people who try to ruin it, but the governments will have to go a long way in controlling them. It's high time they should. They should ensure that the bonding between the two countries gets stronger and there are more and more cultural exchanges. The atmosphere of peace should prevail. One should understand that, if the neighbouring country is facing disturbance, it is bound to reach our border. If there's peace in the neighbouring country , then only can we live in peace.

What do you plan to do in Kolkata, where you have been a couple of times? You have not only performed in the city before but also collaborated with Debajyoti Mishra on Ramchand Pakistani...

I have come to Kolkata more than a couple of times and I love to be here, all the more when it's raining. This time too I have plans. After the match, I am planning to go to a restaurant where they serve all kinds of food. Tasting the Bengali cuisine is also on the cards.

What about Bollywood projects?

There are a couple of films, but I can't talk about them right now. And yes, despite the fact that Mr Bachchan has a distinct voice, if someone asks me to sing for him, I wouldn't say no. This is the first time I would be meeting him and there couldn't have been a better platform.