Sania is an ace here, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi yet to serve

PURNIA: Firebrand Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi may have to work hard to make his presence felt in Muslim-majority areas of Seemanchal, but the other Hyderabadi, Sania Mirza, has been ruling hearts here for long. And, her appeal transcends divisions of religion, region, caste and language.

Though the tennis ace's popularity has nothing to do with the forthcoming Bihar polls, her universal charm gets reflected in a popular Bhojpuri music album. It's an outpouring of people's love and admiration and expresses their feelings about her marriage to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.

The album on the star is not new. But what amazes is its reach, from Bhojpuri-speaking regions to non-Bhojpuri speaking parts of Bihar, areas bordering Bengal where people speak either Surjapari, UrduHindi or Bangla.

The popularity of “Sania Mirza jab se gayali Pakistan main... Aab to pyaar pe ho gayil Pakistanian ke hak (Pakistanis have the right over Sania's love now that she's wed to a Pakistani)“ -shows how even the rural folk, who hardly know much about tennis, rue her marriage to the Pakistani cricketer.

Of course, most villagers in Purnia, Katihar, Araria and Kishanganj s are Muslims and they're extremely proud of her Muslim identity and celebrity status.

“Wo Hindustan ki khiladi hai. Hamlog usey pasand karte hain. (She is an Indian sportsperson. We like her),“ asserts 20-year-old Sarfaroz of Beriya village near Purnia.

The Sania album is a super hit in local dhabas and walls of many Seemanchal shops are plastered with her posters -irrespective of who owns it, Hindu or Muslim. This is how adulation and admiration cut across language or religion.