Bollywood films featuring Pakistani actors to give INR50 million to Indian army welfare: MNS chief
MNS allows release of Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
PHOTO: FILE
Hindu radical party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Saturday gave the green light for the release of Karan Johar's forthcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil but said all producers who employed Pakistani artists must pay INR50 million each to the Indian Army's welfare fund as atonement.
The decision came after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' intervened in the matter, a day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Mumbai to meet representatives of Bollywood.
Not screening Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will be our loss, say Indian cinema owners
Indian home minister promises safe release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Fadnavis convened a meeting on Saturday which was attended by Thackeray, Karan Johar and Film and Television Producers Guild of India's President Mukesh Bhatt, among others at his official residence, Varsha, to resolve the imbroglio.
MNS, however, imposed certain conditions to release the film. The party chief demanded a handsome contribution to the army welfare fund and "slides paying tributes to brave Indian soldiers before the start of the film in theatres" -- to which both Bhatt and Johar reportedly readily agreed.
Asking all producers to ensure Pakistani artistes "don't get entry to Bollywood", Thackeray said producers must submit a written undertaking to MNS that they would not employ any Pakistani actors, singers, technicians, among others. "Producers will discuss the ‘atonement' amount to be given with Fadnavis and inform us, but from today (Saturday) no more Pakistani artistes shall be hired. We will not tolerate any excuses on this," Thackeray declared.
Earlier, the MNS said it would not allow the release of the film because it features Pakistani actor, Fawad Khan.
Should ADHM be banned because of Fawad Khan? Here's what Ajay Devgn thinks
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in the lead.
"We have always raised our voice against Pakistani actors, cricketers coming and working here… This is our victory," Thackeray asserted, virtually pulling the rug from under his rival, cousin Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.
Even the Shiv Sena has been calling for a ban on Pakistani artistes, writers, and cricketers since several decades and is currently a coalition partner with Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra and in the NDA at the Centre.
Pooja Bhatt opens up on India's ban on Pakistani artists
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
The decision came after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' intervened in the matter, a day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Mumbai to meet representatives of Bollywood.
Not screening Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will be our loss, say Indian cinema owners
MNS President Raj Thackeray further said henceforth all Pakistani artistes, including actors, singers, among others, shall be permanently banned from Bollywood. "Why should Pakistani actors be given the red carpet welcome when our soldiers are being killed on the borders? Was the Uri attack the first one," an aggressive Thackeray said.
Indian home minister promises safe release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Fadnavis convened a meeting on Saturday which was attended by Thackeray, Karan Johar and Film and Television Producers Guild of India's President Mukesh Bhatt, among others at his official residence, Varsha, to resolve the imbroglio.
MNS, however, imposed certain conditions to release the film. The party chief demanded a handsome contribution to the army welfare fund and "slides paying tributes to brave Indian soldiers before the start of the film in theatres" -- to which both Bhatt and Johar reportedly readily agreed.
Asking all producers to ensure Pakistani artistes "don't get entry to Bollywood", Thackeray said producers must submit a written undertaking to MNS that they would not employ any Pakistani actors, singers, technicians, among others. "Producers will discuss the ‘atonement' amount to be given with Fadnavis and inform us, but from today (Saturday) no more Pakistani artistes shall be hired. We will not tolerate any excuses on this," Thackeray declared.
Earlier, the MNS said it would not allow the release of the film because it features Pakistani actor, Fawad Khan.
Should ADHM be banned because of Fawad Khan? Here's what Ajay Devgn thinks
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in the lead.
"We have always raised our voice against Pakistani actors, cricketers coming and working here… This is our victory," Thackeray asserted, virtually pulling the rug from under his rival, cousin Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.
Even the Shiv Sena has been calling for a ban on Pakistani artistes, writers, and cricketers since several decades and is currently a coalition partner with Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra and in the NDA at the Centre.
Pooja Bhatt opens up on India's ban on Pakistani artists
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.