Shiv Sena vows to never let Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan promote their films in Mahrashtra. Is Shah Rukh Khan's Raees going to suffer?
Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan are popular superstars in Pakistan. Back in India, Fawad is already a rage with his first Bollywood film Khoobsurat opposite Sonam Kapoor cementing his position in the industry. On the other hand, Mahira is all set to make her grand Bolly debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rahul Dholakia's anticipated film Raees next year. But there's one big hurdle for the two Pakistani actors. Shiv Sena claims they won't allow any Pakistani cricketer or actor put foot on Maharashtrian soil.
Shiv Sena had previously fought a similar battle with Shah Rukh Khan. In the 2010 IPL auction, none of the franchises picked up any Pakistani players. This led Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to comment: "I think it’s actually humiliating to me as a KKR owner that this has happened. We are known to be good, we are known to invite everyone, and we should have. And if there were any issues, they should have been put out earlier so that everything could happen respectfully.”
This led to massive protests across the state as they attacked theatres which were screening SRK’s My Name is Khan. The erstwhile Maharashtra government – Congress-NCP – deployed 21,000 police officers to guard over 63 cinemas screening the film.
Quite unlike other Bollywood actors, SRK refused to bow down and apologise. "I request everybody to leave the film alone and deal with what I have said as an individual. I have no idea what I am supposed to apologise for. If I am in wrong I would like to apologise but someone needs to explain to me what is wrong," he told reporters in London.
After Shiv Sena's protest at BCCI office, Kasuri book release function and Ghulam Ali concerts, films starring Pakistan artistes have become latest target of the political outfit. In the last few weeks, Sena has hit national headlines with its protest against Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali's concerts in Pune and Mumbai (which were consequently cancelled), ink attack on former BJP ideologue Sudheendra Kulkarni and opposition to release of former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri's book, as well as protest at BCCI office over the planned visit by Pakistan Cricket Board chief.
Chitrapat Sena general secretary Akshay Bardapurkar told a leading website, "We are not really bothered about who is signing these Pakistanis in their film. Karan Johar, Farhan Akhtar, Shah Rukh Khan etc. are responsible citizens and they should not cast Pakistanis in their film."
Fawad has already wrapped shooting for KJo's Kapoor & Sons which will release early next year. He is currently filming for another Dharma film- Ae Dil Hai Mushkil where he's paired with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Mahira on the other hand will be shooting with SRK for Raees, which releases next year Eid. But given that Shiv Sena has already started protesting against Pakistani actors and actresses, will Fawad and Mahira's Bollywood projects suffer the brunt of it?
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Fawad Mahira")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}