Release pe dekh lenge: MNS to Farhan Akhtar

Farhan Akhtar has refused to cough up Rs 5 crore to ensure the release of his production venture, Raees, starring Pakistani actress Mahira Khan opposite Shah Rukh Khan

Farhan Akhtar, Mahira Khan and Shah Rukh Khan

Just as the controversy around Ae Dil Hai Mushkil had started to die down, Farhan Akhtar's recent comments have reignited it. The actor-filmmaker has reportedly said that Karan Johar's deal over Ae Dil...'s release — agreeing to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)'s demand that producers contribute R5 crore to the Army welfare fund as penance for casting Pakistani artistes in their films — has set a "terrible precedent". Farhan has also refused to cough up that kind of amount to ensure release of his production venture, Raees, starring Pak actress Mahira Khan opposite Shah Rukh Khan.

Farhan was quoted saying, "No question of giving Rs 5 crore to the Army as they have refused to take it." Responding to his remark, MNS cine wing president Ameya Khopkar said, "Release nazdik aane do phir dekh lenge (Let the film's release come closer, we will look into it). By the way, where were these people when the decision of donating R5 crores was taken? Suddenly everyone is waking up."

Farhan had also said that it was the state's duty to protect the  film folk: "We are law abiding tax payers and the state should take care of us." Countering that statement, Khopkar said, "We all know on what kind of visa these Pakistani actors come and work here. If we open the documents, producers will land in a big soup. When producers are ready to pay these Pakistani artistes, why are they hesitating to donate money to the Indian Army?"

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