Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) president Pahlaj Nihalani tweeted his support for Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and called out movie associations that backed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s threat to vandalise theatres screening the film.
Central & State Govt extended best support to #ADHM. Sad two industry associations shook hands with local political party to create ruckus.
— Pahlaj Nihalani (@NihalaniPahlaj) October 20, 2016
A statement from MNS, issued on the 17th of October, threatened to vandalise multiplexes that screen Johar’s film as it features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. “We will oppose the screening of the movie everywhere in the state. If any multiplex operator dares to screen the film, they (operators) should remember that multiplexes are decorated with expensive glass sheets”, MNS leader Amey Khopkar said in a public statement.
Recommended
Following this, Karan Johar announced in a video statement that he will ‘not engage’ with Pakistani talent in the future and that it is unfair for his the film to undergo any problems on account of the turbulent relations the neighbouring countries share. “Over 300 Indian people in my crew have put their blood, sweat and tears in my film, and I don’t think it is fair for them to face any kind of turbulence on account of other fellow Indians”, he said.
Mukesh Bhatt, President of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India, recently met with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who assured a safe release of the film on 28 October.