Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says he made it clear to the Film Producers' Guild that they did not have to agree to the payment to the Army Welfare Fund
Under fire for allegedly "brokering" a deal between producers of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" and MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed he had opposed the idea of a Rs 5 crore contribution from filmmakers to the Army welfare fund.
ADHM, Karan Johar's film slated for release later this week, had faced protests by MNS workers for casting Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. An association of theatre owners had also said they would not screen the film, while an MNS official had subtly threatened to vandalise multiplexes if they screened it.
The film's release, scheduled for October 28, was ensured last week at a meeting between Film Producers' Guild, producers and Thackeray, mediated by Fadnavis. A key demand, conceded by the producers' body, in the meeting was a Rs 5 crore contribution for army welfare.
"Thackeray had put three demands, out of which there was no objection to the other two. When the issue of Rs 5 crore came up, I intervened and made it clear to the Film Producers' Guild that they need not have to agree to it. I also told them that the contribution has to be made voluntarily. However, it was producers' decision to accept it," Fadnavis said last evening at his residence 'Varsha'.
"I categorically said that although it is nice that the Guild has decided to stand by the families of our martyrs but it is not a compulsion. Still if they wish to do, they may contribute whatever amount they feel (is) appropriate. This figure of (Rs) 5 crore came from MNS but was not agreed in the meeting and turned down then and there only," he said.
When asked about allegations of "brokering" the deal, Fadnavis said, "Another choice was deploying thousands of police staff outside theatres (when film releases). I would then faced allegations like I have spoiled Diwali holiday mood of police staff. Issues should be solved by talking, and we are a democratic government," he said.
Before intervention, Mumbai Police had already arrested MNS activists, hence there should not be any doubts about government's intentions, he said, adding that it was not true that the government was playing both sides, as some have alleged.
BJP's ally Shiv Sena has slammed the CM's intervention in the matter, terming Fadnavis's role as "siding with Pakistani personalities."
On this, the CM said, "Did our governments not talk with separatists like Hurriyat (Conference) or negotiate with Naxal groups for peace? Then holding discussions with a political party, though this is comparatively a minor one (issue), should not be criticised so bitterly. I think, successful mediation has disappointed some people," he said.
He also denied charges of going soft on MNS and insisted that there was "no political motive" behind the negotiations.
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