NEW DELHI: A delegation of the film and television producers guild of India Today met Home Minister Rajnath Singh amid a threat by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena to block the release of Karan Johar’s ‘Ae Dil Hae Mushkil’ and urged him to ensure a release of the film without any violence.
The Home Minister assured the delegation, led by filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt, that he would talk to chief ministers of all states to ensure the release of the film without any violence.
Talking to reporters after meeting the Home Minister, Mr Mukesh Bhatt said Mr Singh assured them all cinemas would get 100 per cent police protection.
After a threat by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena to block the release of the film, as it stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, a section of cinema owners in four states have said they will not screen the film in their theatres.
“Mr Rajnath Singh assured us 100 per cent support for the film’s release. The Home Minister said he will speak to all Chief Ministers. He assured that ADHM will release without violence or issue. He told us that ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ will have a safe release,” Mr Bhatt said.
Asked for his reaction on Pakistan banning Indian content, Mr Bhatt said, “It doesn’t matter to us that Pakistan has banned our content in their country. Our content is released worldwide and we don’t need Pakistan.”
Speaking on the issue, Union Minister Babul Supriyo slammed the MNS for vandalising cinema halls to protest the release of ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’. “MNS workers are just trying to create fear in others mind, they don’t have any right to play with law and order.”
Earlier this week, Karan released a video declaring that for him country comes first. “Nothing else matters but my country,” he said and pledged that he will not use Pakistani artistes in future projects.
However, he urged, his movie was shot much before tension between India and Pakistan escalated and that any attempts to boycott or blacklist it will affect the large team of people that worked on the movie.
“I beseech you to know one thing – that over 300 Indian people in my crew have put their blood, sweat and tears in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” he said. (agencies)
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