Ghulam Ali to sing for a film on Sai Ba

Mumbai, Aug 21 (UNI) Ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali made a comeback to playback singing after a long hiatus, when he recorded a song for 'Maalik Ek', a movie based on the life of Sufi saint Sai Baba.

''God has been kind to me that people love my ghazals even after about 30 years have passed,'' Ghulam Ali said at the recording of the song.

The film which has music by noted devotional singer Anup Jalota and directed by Deepak Balraj Vij, will feature many other prominent singers like Pankaj Udhas, Jagjit Singh and Anuradha Paudwal.

The Pakistani singer said, ''My younger brother Anup Jalota asked me to sing this song and I could not refuse. The songs of 'Maalik Ek' are to be sung in the 'Sufi Kalam' which I feel is a direct way to approach God. I do not sing songs which are run-of-the-mill. I only sing select songs. Pankaj Udhas and Anup Jalota are my fans and I reciprocate their gesture.'' Speaking on the occasion, Producer of the film Kishori Shahane Vij said, ''The mahurat of the film is on Aug 27 and Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff will be assaying the role of Sai Baba.'' ''The film will be shot in Shirdi and will take 5 to 7 months to complete. Noted actor Manoj Kumar has also written a song for the film,'' Mr Vij added.

Speaking to reporters, ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas said, ''Anup and I started our career at the same time in 1980 and he had sung a song for a smash hit film made in the 80's on 'Sai Baba'.

Twenty-seven years down the line when I got an opportunity to sing for this film I grabbed it with both hands.'' UNI