Cinema VinesIn a surprising development that could signal a thaw in cross‑border cultural exchanges, Pakistani vocalist Mustafa Zahid is reportedly negotiating with the producers of the upcoming Hindi film Awarapan 2 to record a new version of the 2004 hit “Tera Mera Rishta.” The original track, sung by the late Pakistani singer and popularized by Emraan Hashmi in the first film, has become a nostalgic touchstone for fans of the franchise.
Sources close to the project told Mid‑day that the talks are still in progress, with a potential recording session slated for Dubai. The collaboration is noteworthy because, since the 2016 Uri terror attack, the Indian film industry has largely avoided hiring Pakistani artists, a stance that was reinforced after the 2025 Pahalgam incident. Despite the ongoing boycott, the makers of Awarapan 2 appear willing to make an exception for this iconic song.
According to the report, if the deal is finalized, the remake would be used exclusively in the film’s social‑media promotion rather than in the theatrical release, as the inclusion of a Pakistani artist could trigger certification complications. The source added, “Should the deal materialise, it will mark one of the rare instances in recent years of a Pakistani playback singer recording for a mainstream Hindi film.”
“Awarapan 2” itself is set to hit screens next week after the trailer dropped on August 6, reuniting Emraan Hashmi as Shivam Pandit after a 19‑year hiatus. The film also introduces Disha Patani as Zara, Shabana Azmi as the main antagonist Nafisa, and a supporting cast that includes Puran Gabbi, Anirudh Rawal, Surendar Vicky, Vijayant Kohli, and Atul Kumar.
The soundtrack, composed by Mithoon, Jeet Gannguli, Amaal Malik, Ankit Sachdev and Wasif Ahmad with lyrics from Sayeed Qadri, Rashmi Virag, Akhil Sachdeva and Sachin Singh Chandel, already features tracks such as “Ve Junoon,” “Yeh Awarapan” and “Toh Phir Aao.” A recreated version of “Tera Mera Rishta” has also appeared in the trailer, hinting at the possible inclusion of Zahid’s voice in the film’s promotional material.
