The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on Friday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistani actors and musicians to leave Bollywood projects in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack, and warned of disruptions on film sets and recording studios.
Though anger against Pakistan over repeated terror attacks in India are said to be the trigger, the MNS appeared to directly target actor Fawad Khan, hugely popular in India for his charming looks and acting prowess, and Mahira Khan, who will make her Indian debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in January next year.
Letters to actors
“Actors like Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan are hijacking the opportunities of Indian artistes,” said Shalini Thackeray, MNS general secretary, at a press conference. She said they had sent letters to the two actors asking them to stop their projects and leave Mumbai.
While Fawad Khan stars in the Karan Johar-directed Ae Dil Hain Mushkil slated to release on October 28, Mahira Khan plays the female lead opposite Shah Rukh in the Rahul Dholakia-directed Raees slated for a release in January 2017. “We would also issue letters to prominent film production houses asking them why they are hiring Pakistani actors when there is ample talent available in India,” said Ms. Thackeray.
Plum roles opposed
She said while thousands come to Mumbai and struggle to find opportunities in movies, the big production houses offered plum roles to Pakistani artists.
Industry sources said most Pakistani artistes did not reside in Mumbai for long stretches, and visit the city for the duration of their work. “The MNS threat could perhaps affect Fawad Khan who could be visiting Mumbai for promotions of Ae Dil Hain Mushkil early next month,” said an industry source.
Incidentally, the first promo for the Karan Johar film which stars Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anushka Sharma, was released on Friday evening.
But the MNS was not the only one breathing fire against cultural relations with Pakistan. Playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya criticised Karan Johar and Mahesh Bhatt, both of whom promote Pakistani talent in their films, for “breeding” and “feeding” Pakistani artistes. “Must teach these #antinational film makers a lessor for life. They r the bigger enemies than #terrorstatepak,” tweeted Mr. Bhattacharya, who was recently arrested for abusive tweets against Aam Aadmi Party leader Preeti Sharma Menon
Mr. Bhattarcharya even asked the political parties to stop gaining political mileage from minor attacks, but target “traitors” like “Johars, Bhatts, Khans.”
However, hours after the MNS press conference, the Mumbai police reassured Bollywood that adequate protection would be provided for any visiting artists. “All foreign nationals, who are in Mumbai on valid documents provided by the Government of India need not worry. We will provide adequate protection as and when required,” said Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) Deven Bharti in a statement.
Pakistani artistes like ghazal singer Ghulam Ali have faced such threats in the past, Last year, Mr. Ali’s musical tribute to ghazal singer Jagjit Singh was cancelled after the Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt the concert. Sena activists had also blackened the face of peace activist Sudheendra Kulkarni for hosting former Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, and disrupted a meeting between then BCCI president Shashank Manohar and his Pakistani counterpart Shahryar Khan for trying to revive cricketing ties.
