Sur Kshetra: Asha Bhosle hits back at MNS Chief Raj Thackeray

New Delhi: Veteran playback singer Asha Bhosle has indirectly hit back at Raj Thackeray the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), saying music is beyond religion and boundaries. The queen of melody, who has turned a judge on the music reality show Sur Kshetra, says that she will be like an umpire on the show, whose job is to take decisions on the field.

On August 30, Raj Thackeray had issued a diktat to Colors TV channel, warning not to broadcast the show Sur Kshetra which would feature both Indian and Pakistani vocalists on September 8. Meanwhile, the MNS supremo had criticised Asha Bhosle for choosing to be a judge on the show, especially after Pakistan's involvement in the terror attacks.

In an interview to PTI, Asha Bhosle refused to directly comment on the controversy about the show Sur Kshetra. The singer said, "I am like an umpire on this show whose job is to take decisions on the field. I don't want to say anything more than that." She added, "Music doesn't differentiate between rich and poor, religions or boundaries. We applaud whenever we hear a good song."

However, Sur Kshetra will be aired on Sahara One on September 8. The show will bring alive the rivalry between the two neighbouring nations India and Pakistan through a singing reality show. It will provide true blue singing talents from both countries with an opportunity to display their vocal talent and outperform their rivals. Himesh Reshammiya and Atif Aslam will lead the teams from India and Pakistan.

Sur Kshetra will be aired on Geo TV in Pakistan and Sahara One and Colors TV in India.