Will continue to oppose Indian films featuring Pak actors: MNS

Even as cinemas in Pakistan on Monday began screening Indian movies, over two months after film exhibitors and theatre owners suspended it amidst Indo-Pak tensions, the Maharashtra Navnirmam Sena (MNS) said it will continue to oppose Indian films featuring Pakistani actors.

“Though Pakistan resumes screening of Indian cinema, our stand will remain unchanged, until Pak stops attacks on Indian land,” Ameya Khopkar, head of the film wing of Raj Thackeray-led MNS, said in a tweet on Monday.

Movie houses in Pakistan today began screening Indian films, over two months after film exhibitors and theatre owners suspended them amidst Indo-Pak tensions following the Uri terror attack and cross-border firing incidents.

Following the Uri terror attack in September, the MNS Chitrapat Sena had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistani artistes to leave the country and even threatened physical violence against them and anyone who cast them in their productions.

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Also, earlier this year, a huge row erupted ahead of the release of Karan Johar’s movie, “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”, which featured Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

However, decks were cleared for the film after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mediated a dialogue between the filmmakers and Raj Thackeray.The controversy-hit film was finally released as per its schedule without any hiccups, but the opposition parties and social activists attacked Fadnavis over his mediation.

Before the truce was clinched, the producers had to give some assurances such as that they would not work with Pakistani artistes and technicians in their future projects, given the people’s sentiments in the wake of Uri terror strikes.

On December 11, Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan had met Raj Thackeray at the latter’s residence here. The meeting assumed significance as Khan’s upcoming film “Raees”, which features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, is scheduled for a release next month. 

Also read | Shah Rukh Khan meets MNS chief Raj Thackeray ahead of 'Raees' release