MNS says it won’t allow screening of Karan Johar’s film

MUMBAI: Rejecting filmmaker Karan Johar’s statement that he will not “engage with talent” from Pakistan in future, the MNS on Wednesday protested outside a cinema hall here, while asserting that it will not allow “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” to be screened in single theatres and multiplexes.

Four MNS film wing workers were later detained by police after they protested outside the Metro cinema hall in South Mumbai, asking the management not to hold any show of movie “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

“The MNS activists were raising slogans outside the Metro theatre for some time. The police asked them to carry it out peacefully but they were not in a mood to listen to us. We have detained four MNS workers so far,” a police officer from Azad Maidan police station said.

Former Indian cricketer and known commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has stirred controversy by slamming the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for their threats to vandalize multiplexes which screen films featuring Pakistani artists. “One MLA party, MNS, not learning their lessons. With threats of vandalism etc they are certain to be a zero MLA party next elections,” tweeted Manjrekar.

SHYAM BENEGAL BACKS KARAN JOHAR

Coming out in support of Karan Johar, veteran director Shyam Benegal said on Wednesday it is sad that the “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” filmmaker had to reiterate his patriotism. Benegal also questioned the constant demand made on people to prove their patriotism. “I feel very sad that he had to make a statement like that because how can anybody doubt his patriotism or his love for this country. Does it need to be reiterated everyday of his life or my life, because there is a demand on people to prove his patriotism?”