Rajnath Singh assures smooth release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'

Rajnath Singh. Pic/PTI

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday extended the centre's support to makers of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and assured security to exhibitors amid threats by MNS to stall the release of Karan Johar-directed movie next week.

Film & Television Producers Guild of India president Mukesh Bhatt, Apoorva Mehta from Dharma Productions, which is behind "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" led a film fraternity delegation and met Singh here today to discuss the smooth release of the film.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bhatt said they decided to meet the Home Minister as there is a sense of "fear" and the law and order situation especially in Mumbai is going out of control. "We requested him to give us assurance along with the chief minister of the state that law and order will be intact and our movie 'ADHM' which is releasing on October 28 should not face any difficulty.

"They have assured us whatever support we want he will provide to us. He said that he will talk to chief ministers of the states so that the law and order remains in place and violence does not take place near theatres. Full security will be given to all exhibitors. The way we celebrate Diwali, (We want) everyone get entertained and celebrate it with happiness," Bhatt added.

Johar skipped the meeting as he is busy with the post-production of the film in Mumbai. Union minister Babul Supriyo, who was also part of the delegation, said, "MNS is a party of goons. They should not be allowed to take law and order in their hands." The movie, which stars Fawad Khan, ran into trouble after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) said they won't let any movie featuring Pakistani artistes release in India.

Seeking to calm tempers over opposition to the release of his directorial venture, Johar had made a fervent appeal against stalling the release, saying he will not engage with talent from Pakistan in future.

MNS continued their protests as the party rejected Johar's statement that he will not "engage with talent" from Pakistan in future. Bhatt said that he is not worried about MNS threats after the Home Minister's assurance and he is confident that 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' will have a smooth release. "After Home Minister's assurance I have gained confidence that I'm safe. So, no matter how badly MNS tries, I know government is with me. Families too should not fear anymore. Theater exhibitors need not worry as well. Government has assured 100 per cent support to us."

When asked what he thought of Pakistan's decision to ban Indian TV and radio content, Bhatt said, "How does it matter to us? We know how to entertain. Politics is something we don't know. For 25 years, films have not released in Pakistan. How does it matter. Our movie is a global release and we are happy with that."