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ShareCops refuse to watch Deshdrohi with MNS, but agree with Raj's men that...
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had to face embarrassment over the soon-to-be-released controversial Hindi film Deshdrohi on Saturday. While officials of the party were ready to watch the movie to decide whether it should be allowed to release, the Mumbai police's stringent stand kept them away from the special screening. Finally, they watched the movie on Sunday at a sub-standard cinema hall in Andheri.
Though they watched the film separately, officers from the special branch of Mumbai police and the MNS officials unanimously declared that watching the film was nothing less than a headache. Neither the police nor the MNS have so far prepared their report regarding the film.
Producer of the film Kamaal Khan had organised a special screening of the film for the police at Eros in Churchagte. Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena (MNCKS) vice-president Shalini Thackeray announced that she would also watch the film at Fun Republic in Andheri with some other party workers. When police came to know of her stance, they warned Khan that they do not want any of MNS workers watching the film on the same day with them as it would attract wide criticism. Finally, the show was held at Eros only.
"I had arranged the show at Eros only. There was no question of inviting MNS officials as the show was meant for only for the police," Khan said. However, Thackeray reiterated her claim that Khan had invited party officials to watch the film at Fun Republic.
On Sunday, Khan requested the MNS officials to watch his film and arranged screening of the film at a sub-standard cinema hall in Andheri. Akhilesh Choube, chief of MNS' legal cell, watched the film along with other party workers.
"I am sure the doubts of the MNS have been cleared now. They were very friendly during the screening," Khan said.
Choube was not available for comment but a lawyer, who accompanied him for the screening, said watching the film was like a punishment. "We will report our observations about the film to our leader advocate Parag Pradhan and he will discuss it with Rajsaheb. A subsequent decision regarding the film's fate will be taken. But one thing is for sure -- the film will get unwanted publicity due to the much-hyped controversy."
"The film has six songs but the producer is cleverly showing promos of inflammatory dialogues only," said a police officer.
