MNS Drops Protest, ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ to Be Released on Diwali

MNS finally drops its agitation against ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, demands that Karan Johar contributes to the Army fund.

Producers guild has promised not work with Pakistani artists in future. (Photo: The Quint)

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has finally dropped its agitation against filmmaker Karan Johar and his upcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The film will release in theatres nationwide on 28 October. At a session during the ongoing Jio MAMI film festival, film critic, author and festival director Anupama Chopra made the happy announcement to the media, in the presence of director Karan Johar.

We are not going to co-operate with release of Karan Johar's ADHM, said Nitin Datar, President of Cinema Owners & Exhibitors Association.

Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met MNS chief Raj Thackeray and director Karan Johar for talks over the screening of Karan Johar’s upcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. The film producers promised not to work with Pakistani actors in future. Also, MNS chief demanded that every producer who has cast a Pakistani artiste should pay Rs 5 crore each to the Army fund.

Producers guild has agreed to give in writing that no Pakistani actor, singer or technician will ever be part of any Indian film. Every producer should give Rs 5 crore each to army welfare fund as ‘prayashchit’. The cheque should be publicly handed over to Manohar Parrikar. This is a victory of our agitation.

Raj Thackeray, MNS chief

“While Pakistan bans Indian content, why do we give them a red carpet here?”, he added.

Contradicting Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis said producers should contribute as much as they will towards army funds.

Pakistan has banned our TV channels and radio stations. So, Indians don’t like Pakistani artists working here. I think the decision of producers’ guild not to feature Pakistani artists is right. Producers should contribute to army welfare fund as per their will.

Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Chief Minister

We at Producers’ Guild have decided that we will never work with Pakistani artists. Guild will call a meeting soon for this. I assured Fadnavis that the Producer’s Guild has decided that we will not work with Pakistani artists in the future. Also, Karan Johar has said he will run a slate before the movie starts which honours the martyrs, its a tribute.

Mukesh Bhatt, Director 

Bhatt also added that, “Johar will contribute to army welfare fund. This is irrespective of whether the film runs or not.”

Producer Siddharth Roy Kapoor, director Mukesh Bhat and some other officials from Fox Star were also present with Johar. MNS members Ameya Khopkar, Shalini Thackeray, Nitin Sardesai came with Raj Thackeray.

(With ANI inputs)

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