Attacks against the creative liberty of filmmakers have been quite abuzz these days. Ever since Sanjay Leela Bhansali was attacked on the sets of his upcoming film Padmavati by members of the Karni Sena, the film fraternity has been unanimously vocal about its views on the same. Karan Johar, who was made to prove his patriotism by the MNS before for the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, has been a loud and rebellious voice. In a recent interview with senior journalist Vir Sanghvi, the filmmaker recounts his own experience of being in the eye of the storm for casting Fawad Khan, a Pakistani actor. He also speaks up again against the trauma that Bhansali had to go through, for no apparent reason at all.
It (apology video for ADHM) was like one of those Al Qaeda hostage videos. Everyone said it as a joke, and I don’t blame them, because it really felt like there was an invisible gun on my head.Karan Johar, Filmmaker
Coming back to the attack on Bhansali, Johar draws a parallel to his situation saying that he could see himself being roughed up somewhere in the future and it would be the most humiliating thing.
You (Karni Sena) haven’t seen the film, it’s being shot there. What do you know about it and how dare someone come on that set and assault that man? It’s ridiculous. And I saw myself in that frame. I thought it could happen to me tomorrow. I could be making a film and be in this situation, and it would be appalling if that happened.Karan Johar
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