Now, MNS backs screening of the magnum opus

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) that has threatened screenings of films in the past, on Tuesday came forward in support of screening of the period drama ‘Padmaavat’.

“It is sad that there is question mark over the relies of the film in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If the law and order situation in the PM’s home state is so bad, god forbid how bad the situation would be in other states,”the MNS said even as the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti raised the issue of unpaid dues by the filmmakers and asked whether the government would initiate action against them.

“Padmavat has been cleared by the Censor Board as well as the Supreme Court. Hence, it is wrong to oppose the film.We too have opposed films in the past. But, none of it was over the content. We had opposed Pakistani actors in the film. It is wrong to oppose a film like this and we shall be prepared if help is needed for the safe release of the film,”said working president of the MNS, Shalini Thackeray.

Meanwhile, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, that is affiliated to Sanatan Sanstha, raised the issue of unpaid government dues by the filmmakers and demanded action against them.“The makers of the film were supposed to pay Rs 1.91 lakh towards the fees for the use of the Mhasai platoo near Kolhapur for shooting of the film for 20 days. However, they paid fees of Rs 28,716 only for three days and used the place without paying fees on all other days.They had not taken permission from the forest department when their sets had caught fire,”Narendra Surve of the group said and asked whether the government will act against the makers of the film for the violations of legislations including that of the sensitive forest act.