Shortly after Karan Johar released a video statement in which the Bollywood filmmaker said that he won't be working with Pakistani artistes in the future, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, a right-wing outfit based in Mumbai, said that it will continue to oppose the release of his movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
Earlier today, Raj Thackeray-led MNS threatened multiplex owners with vandalism if they released Johar's film, which has Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a starring role.
Amey Khopkar, President of Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena, the film wing of the MNS, toldThe Indian Express, "We are firm on our stand and we will not allow him to release the film."
MNS issued its veiled threat on Twitter: "We will not let the film air even in Multiplexes as it features Pakistani actors. Multiplex owners need to stay away from airing films featuring Pakistani actors...Or else, remember how expensive your glass walls are."
In response to Johar's statement, Khopkar told the newspaper, "Has he realised it only now? He didn't understand it for such a long time?...He has not mentioned Pakistani actors. He has said he won't work with the neighbouring country's talent. Talent?."
In his video statement on Tuesday, Johar said, "Going forward I would like to say that of course, I will not engage with talent from the neighbouring country given the circumstance. But with that same energy, I beseech you to know one thing. That over 300 Indian people in my crew have put their blood, sweat and tears into my film ADHM and I don't think it is fair to them to face any kind of turbulence out of other fellow Indians."
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