Popular playback and pop singer Mika Singh who had caught the ire of the Mumbai-based film association for performing in Pakistan has made amends with the workers’ body and his fans.
The singer on Wednesday issued a formal apology to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) that had imposed a ban on Mika, after he performed at a high-profile wedding in Karachi, amidst simmering tensions between India and Pakistan.
In a press conference, the 42-year-old claimed that his performance in Pakistan “coincidentally” clashed with the announcement of revocation of Article 370 in India.
“I went to Pakistan so that I could visit the Nankana Sahib gurdwara. It is merely a coincidence that Article 370 happened on 5th while I landed there on 3rd August,” said Mika at a press conference in Mumbai.
“I apologised for the mistake that I did unknowingly,” he added.
Responding to his apology, the FWICE president BN Tewari announced the association's decision to withdraw the ban.
“We had issued a letter to ban Mika Singh. Mika wrote back a letter to us. He wanted to be heard. He said he regrets that the timing of the event and his visit to Pakistan was not right. We had a meeting and heard Mika’s version,” Mr Tewaris said at the press conference.
He, however, added that FWICE would stand firm on its decision of banning all Pakistani artistes from working in Bollywood.
Sharing the news on Twitter, the singer thanked the association for accepting his apology and reiterated his commitment “to do good for society and the people of the country.”
The ban had been placed on Mika last week, whilst he was still in Pakistan. When he returned to India on August 16, he hailed 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' (Victory to Mother India) at the Wagah border.
Mika went on to post that video on Twitter, which didn't impress the FWICE which had placed a ban on him two days prior to that.
The decision to revoke the ban has been welcomed by the singer’s fans on social media.
