‘No such incident happened’

Dubai’s bustling airport became the stage for major drama as singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan allegedly faced unexpected detention by the police. Prevented from boarding his flight, Rahat was taken to the Bur Dubai police station, triggering a storm of speculation and scrutiny, India Today reported.

Reports indicate that Salman Ahmed, Rahat’s former manager and a prominent showbiz promoter, filed a case against him in Dubai. However, despite the dramatic turn of events, Rahat has not been formally arrested. The singer, in town for various musical performances, was quick to clarify the situation. “I was not arrested and no such incident happened,” he stated, insisting that he was merely questioned at the airport. Music director Farooq Rao supported Rahat’s claim, asserting that the singer was in Dubai to record songs, not under arrest.

On the other side of the drama, Salman Ahmed has had his own share of controversy. In February, a leaked video emerged, showing Ahmed issuing threats against several Bollywood and Pakistani artists, including Rahat. The footage, reportedly recorded six months earlier, displayed Ahmed’s frustration and menacing warnings toward artists who failed to fulfill their commitments.

The list of artists mentioned in the video is extensive and includes names like Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Arijit Singh, Salim-Sulaiman, Mika Singh, Aditya Narayan, and Asha Bhosle. Ahmed, who managed these artists for concerts and events worldwide, faced backlash as the video leaked by a staff member further fueled the scandal.

Earlier this year, the internet erupted with outrage following the emergence of a controversial video depicting Rahat assaulting a personal employee. The video, which quickly went viral on various social media platforms, prompted heated discussions about the responsibility of public figures and the severity of the alleged actions.

In response to the escalating controversy, Rahat released a video attempting to address the incident. In the video message, the singer presented his employee, Naveed Hasnain, and Naveed’s father, Nafees Ahmed, attempting to portray their relationship as one based on mutual respect and affection.

“The videos you’re watching are a personal matter between a mentor and his pupil…When a pupil does something well, we show them appreciation. In case of a mistake, we punish them as well,” he stated in the video. Despite Rahat’s attempts to downplay the incident as a disciplinary matter between a ‘mentor and his pupil,’ public sentiment remains deeply critical.