The news came as a surprise to many from within and outside the Hindi film industry because of the MNS’ stance against immigrants in Mumbai.
Actor Irrfan Khan is now the member of the Cine Workers’ Association (CWA) run Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The actor, along with Hindi film producer Bunty Walia, joined the association on Saturday.
The news came as a surprise to many from within and outside the Hindi film industry because of the MNS’ stance against immigrants in Mumbai. Khan hails from a nawab family in Jaipur while Walia is from Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh.
While Khan remained unavailable for comment, a source close to the actor said that Khan’s membership with the MNS-controlled CWA has nothing to do with his political leanings. “He is an actor first and an actor last. He has been meaning to become a member of a film association which would provide him with a sense of belonging and security. And CWA is just like any other film association for him,” the source added.
Marathi actors Vikram Gokhale, Sandeep Kulkarni and Harshada Khanvilkar are also CWA members, which was floated three years ago.
MNS general secretary Shalini Thackeray said that the association will provide its members with medical insurance and an accident cover of Rs50,000. All the members can avail the benefits of this scheme, where the premium amount will be paid by the union. CWA has nearly 2,500 members including actors, filmmakers, technicians and other workers from the Hindi and Marathi film industries. “For us, the most important thing is to ensure that our artistes and technicians are treated with respect and dignity,” Thackeray added.
CWA president Ameya Khopkar said that it is the first union where technicians, directors, producers and actors have come under one roof.
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