The problems for the upcoming Karan Johar movie, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, do not seem to end.
The latest trouble is from Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) who sent out a message to the owners of multiplexes on social media threatening them from refraining the screening of ADHM or face vandalism.
A Twitter post read, “We will not let the film air even in Multiplexes as it features Pakistani actors. Multiplex owners need to stay away from airing films featuring Pakistani actors.”
It didn’t end here. It had an open threat in the next part. “Or else…remember how expensive your glass walls are!”
MNS has taken it upon them to make sure no movie which has any sort of Pakistani connection releases in India anymore, at least not until the relations between India and Pakistan ease out.
In the wake of unfortunate Uri attacks which killed 19 Indian soldiers, MNS gave an ultimatum to all Pakistani artistes to leave the country within 48 hours. Further even, Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) passed a resolution to the effect of refraining work with Pakistani artistes until peace resumes between the two countries.
The movie that is under threat in the near future is Johar’s Diwali release, ADHM which has Fawad Khan (Pakistani actor) alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma. Another movie that is facing backlash from MNS is Shahrukh Khan’s Raees which has a Pakistani leading lady called Mahira Khan.
However, a couple of days after passing the resolution, the IMMPA went soft on its hard stand on the two films. The Vice President of IMPPA, Ashoke Pandit, took to Twitter to announce that the body has requested MNS leaders to allow the peaceful release of the films as they are ready for release.