/> Indo-Pak cultural ties just got stronger. In the first cinematic director-writer collaboration between India and Pakistan since Raj Kapoor's Henna when RK got Haseena Moin to write the script, Indian television's foremost music-talent producer Gajendra Singh has decided to direct another Indo-Pak romance, a la Henna

15 years after Henna Moin (who has penned some of the most enduring teleplays in Pakistan including Dhoop Kinare and Tanhaiyan) returns to India to write the film Gulnar for Gajendra Simgh.

Says the man who has devoted 16 years to scouting presenting and projecting new musical talent on television, "Voice Of India on Star TV wraps up in November. And that's it for now. I need to move on to a new creative level. Directing a film seems the next logical step."

But before that Gajendra Singh is producing another feature film this year called Yaari Motor Company. "This is a smaller film about four young migrants into Mumbai and their experiences. It would a steely gritty film directed by veteran actor Shivaji Satam's son Abhijeet Satam."

Anil Kapoor is being cast as the four young protagonists' mentor.

Gajendra moves to directing his own film after that the first production.

"A romantic film on Indo-Pak ties is something I've wanted to make for many years. Our films have gone into Indo-Pak relations. But none so far that has taken a detached view of the matter. With Gulnar I hope to do that."

As a seasoned music person Gajendra Singh has been dismayed by the incessant flow of talent from Pakistan into India. "But there's been hardly any flow in the other direction.

Even Lataji has not yet performed in Lahore or Karachi. It's such a shame. The ordinary non-political man in Pakistan craves as much for Lataji and Ashaji's voice as any Indian. We need to bridge that gap."

Gajendra Singh got the idea of making an Indo-Pak film several years ago while recording a television show live in New York.

"It was performed and attended by both Indians and Pakistanis. We had a signature tune Dil dil Pakistan jaan jaan Hindustan. And the audience roared with equal enthusiasm at both the lines. It was then that I realized how similar the two people were."

While Gajendra Singh wraps up Voice Of India on Star TV he also has the kids' special Chak De Bachche on the fledgling channel 9 X.

It's said the show, like Ekta Kapoor's Mahabharat has suffered because of the channel's poor ratings.

Singh jumps to the channel's defence. "Why blame 9 X? Why not take the blame ourselves? When Star Plus got in Kaun Banega Crorepati they not only made a success of the channel but also the serials that were telecast before and after the game show.

If my Chak De Bachche was good enough it would've boosted the channel's viewership, just like Ballika Vadhu has done for the other new channel Colors."