Farhan Akhtar slams Karan Johar for setting 'terrible precedent' with MNS deal

The actor and producer strongly criticizes the recent deal between Karan Johar and MNS


Entertainment Desk October 28, 2016
PHOTO: iDIVA/TRIBUNE

As Pakistan-India ties worsen, the film industries of both nations continue to bear the brunt. Not only are cinema-goers being deprived of watching their favourtie stars, actors and producers are also being singled out by extremist parties.

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The latest addition to the already soaring tension between the two nations was the threat by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to vandalise theaters if Karan Johar went ahead with the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. The matter was later sorted at a meeting held at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' office, where Johar promised to donate Rs 5 Crore to the Army Welfare Fund.

And while most Bollywood actors are choosing to remain mum on the issue, Farhan Akhtar has come out and slammed the recent deal between Karan Johar and the Raj Thackeray-led MNS.



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"The only word that comes to mind is unfortunate,” he said, “because it has set a terrible precedent. It's not even the government telling you what you should be doing and not doing. So who are you listening to? You are listening to the people who are threatening you with violence. Now, when you have the threat of violence, it's not only about you. You have kids at home, you have a family," Akhtar said in an interview with Indian Express.

Akhtar also questioned the singular targeting of the film industry, whereas businesses between the two countries still continue to take place.

He said, "By all means pass a law. If you pass a law, you are representing the voice of the people. We've elected you to do it, so, by all means, pass a law. But don't hold that standard only for the film industry. Why only the film industry? Because we are easy targets. Why don't you stop business between India and Pakistan, the two billion dollars of business that happens every single year? Stop it, go the whole hog. This is like window dressing."

Farhan has every reason to be concerned by Johar's move to appease MNS. After all his company, Excel Entertainment, has financed Raees, a film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Pakistani actor Mahira Khan. With reports of Mahira being replaced in the movie dispelled, only time will tell what MNS will do when it comes to Raees, which is set to premier in the first quarter of 2017.

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COMMENTS (1)

Parvez | 7 years ago | Reply Well said Farhan Akhtar.......there comes a time that tests people and shows up the men from the boys......Karan Johar failed the test.
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