MNS threatens film, theatre producers casting Pak artistes of consequence

Mumbai: Dubbing filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt a "foolish man" and asking him to go to Pakistan, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) film wing today congratulated the Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) for refusing to screen films with Pakistani artistes.

The MNS, however, threatened producers and directors casting Pakistani actors of consequences.

MNS leader Amey Khopkar told ANI that filmmaker "Mahesh Bhatt is a foolish man and should leave India and go to Pakistan."

"I congratulate all the members of Cine Theatre Association. I congratulate Maharashtra Navnirman Sena from my party for taking a very good decision against Pakistani artistes that they will not allow any film which has Pakistani artistes to be released in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa," Khopkar said.

"I will not allow any kind of such nonsense in Maharashtra and whoever tries to cast Pakistani artistes in their films, shows and events, we will oppose them and beat them up," he added.

Amey Khopkar further said they would not allow any movie with Pakistan artistes to be released.

Earlier during the day, The Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) decided that films with Pakistani artistes will not be screened.

"We have decided that we will not screen these films (with Pakistani actors)," Nitin Datar, COEAI's president told a press conference.

COEAI's decision encompasses films that have Pakistani artistes as well as technicians associated with them in any capacity.

Earlier, the organisation had held a meeting where it was said that a decision in regard to the matter would be taken.

The decision would be affecting the release of the Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', which stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and 'Raees' a 33-year-old Mahira Khan.