mustafa zahid may
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Mustafa Zahid may return for ‘Awarapan 2’ remake track

Nearly two decades after Tera Mera Rishta became one of the biggest hits from Awarapan, original singer Mustafa Zahid may be returning for the sequel. The Pakistani vocalist appears set to reunite with the franchise’s makers.

According to a Mid-day report, the 41-year-old is reportedly in talks with producers Mukesh Bhatt and Vishesh Bhatt. The discussions center around a remake for Awarapan 2.

The development is notable given Bollywood’s long-standing stance on Pakistani artistes since the 2016 Uri attack. That boycott was reaffirmed more recently, following the 2025 Pahalgam attack.

Despite that backdrop, talks are reportedly moving forward. If the deal goes through, the song would reportedly be recorded in Dubai rather than India.

A source close to the matter told the publication that this could mark one of the rare recent instances of a Pakistani playback singer working on a mainstream Hindi film. However, the track itself will not feature in Awarapan 2 directly, as its inclusion could create certification complications for the film.

To work around that, the makers are said to be considering releasing the song exclusively through social media promotions, bypassing theatrical use entirely.

Meanwhile, the film’s own trailer dropped on August 6, marking the franchise’s return after 19 years. Emraan Hashmi reprises his role as Shivam Pandit, now portrayed as older and more emotionally scarred.

Disha Patani joins the cast as Zara, while Shabana Azmi takes on the role of antagonist Nafisa. The soundtrack brings together composers Mithoon, Jeet Gannguli and Amaal Malik, among others, with tracks like Ve Junoon and Yeh Awarapan already released.

The trailer also includes a recreated version of Tera Mera Rishta, now sung by Saaj Bhatt and Subodhh Sharma. Original lyricist Sayeed Qadri has returned to pen the updated version of the track.

Directed by Nitin Kakkar, Awarapan 2 is set for a worldwide release on August 14. The film will clash at the box office with Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947, setting up a high-profile release-date showdown.

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    Wasim Akram’s 1992 heroics inspire Rabada ahead of 2027 World Cup

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    Six members of one family killed in Israeli strike…

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    Holly Willoughby laughs off daughter’s YouTube tease

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A total of 296 candidates, including nominees from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and independent candidates, contested the 13 seats. Polling disrupted at some stations Although polling remained largely peaceful, some polling stations reported disruptions. In Kotli’s Aghaar Colony, voting continued at Polling Station 38. However, polling could not begin at Stations 36 and 37 because voters did not arrive. PPP AJK Election Cell in-charge Sardar Abdul Shakoor claimed that disturbances occurred at polling stations 119, 120 and 121 in LA-5 Barnala. He said polling was affected for some time. According to Shakoor, voting resumed after security forces reached the area. However, he said the polling process remained slow. The PPP also established a central election monitoring cell in Islamabad. Senior party leaders, including Sherry Rehman, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Shazia Marri, Sharjeel Memon and Saeed Ghani, monitored developments and remained in contact with election officials, district administrations and party candidates. Former National Assembly speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf expressed concern over alleged irregularities at different polling stations. He called for additional security personnel at sensitive locations, including Gulpur, Thurochi and Muhajir Camp. He urged the Election Commission to immediately and impartially investigate all complaints and ensure free, fair and transparent elections. Political leaders urge voters to participate PML-N candidate Chaudhry Tariq Farooq cast his vote at Polling Station 161 in Bhimber’s LA-7 constituency. Speaking after voting, Farooq said voter turnout was expected to be higher in rural areas than in cities. He also expressed confidence in the security and election arrangements in Bhimber. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, accompanied by his sister Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, appealed to voters in Mirpur to participate in the elections. In a video message, Bilawal urged people to leave their homes and exercise their right to vote if they wanted Kashmir’s future to be decided by its people. He also asked voters to support PPP candidates. PPP Karachi Division President Saeed Ghani described the election as a contest between the genuine issues of Kashmiris and what he called false promises. Ghani said Kashmiris needed political rights, ownership rights and employment opportunities. He criticised the focus on providing a limited number of buses, saying development should address wider public needs. PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan also raised concerns about alleged federal interference and the use of government resources during the elections. He demanded that the polls remain free, fair and transparent. He also called on the federal government to avoid any involvement that could influence the electoral process. PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri said the people of Kashmir would deliver their verdict through their votes. She said the party’s election symbol, the arrow, represented hope for the people of Mirpur. Police praise peaceful polling AJK police said the first phase of polling remained peaceful across Mirpur Division. A spokesperson for the AJK police chief said voters had rejected calls for unrest and instead chose to exercise their democratic right. Voters began arriving at polling stations soon after voting opened at 8am. AJK Inspector General of Police Liaquat Ali Malik thanked residents for cooperating with law enforcement agencies and helping maintain peace during the election. He warned that no individual, including political workers, would be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz and DIG Kamran Ali also visited Ward 16/17 in LA-3 to review the polling arrangements. The commissioner said polling had remained peaceful across Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber. He urged voters to come out without fear and assured them that the administration had made arrangements for a secure environment. Security arrangements strengthened Authorities made extensive security arrangements for the elections. AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the voting process. AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan said state institutions were fully prepared to maintain peace during the elections. He said the people had rejected attempts to create disorder and demonstrated confidence in the democratic process.

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