MNS threatens filmmaker, demands special screening

After receiving a threat from gangster Ravi Pujari for his forthcoming film, World Cupp 2011, filmmaker Ravi Kapoor has now irked the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Amey Khopkar, president of Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Kamgar Sena, called Kapoor on Monday night asking him to come to the MNS office. “Khopkar said that there were references to the MNS in the movie,” Kapoor told DNA. “He claimed that I had shown the party in a bad light. He has demanded a special screening and a letter of apology.”

When contacted, Khopkar confirmed that the director and producers of the film were ready to given an apology for making “derogatory remarks against the party”.

“The film’s PR agent met said the film didn’t reflect badly on the MNS. Still, she is ready to send a letter of apology,” Khopkar said.

MNS leaders took objection to the name of a group called MNNS in the film. “We have not shown the outfit in the wrong way. The leader is like Raj Thackeray who stands for nationalism,” Kapoor said.

Khopkar, however, has demanded a special screening and warned the filmmaker not to call the media for any sort of coverage.

“The MNS leaders and workers will decide whether there are any negative references to the party and Thackeray. Khopkar also said that if they disliked our handling of the issue, they won’t let film to be screened in the 500 theatres that we have booked across the state,” said Kapoor.

When asked why he had not filed a police complaint this time, Kapoor said, “Raj is the king and we are the praja. Also, I want this film to be screened since I have not shown anything wrong.”

The film is slated to release on December 18.