Not paying any money to Indian Army: Farhan Akhtar

Mumbai: Unlike the makers of ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, ‘Raees’ co-producer Farhan Akhtar has refused to contribute any money to National Defence Fund saying that the Indian Army has refused to take it.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) allowed the release of ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan on the condition that the makers contribute 5 Cr to National Defence Fund as a mark of respect towards the Indian Army. Dharma Productions, headed by Karan Johar, obliged to MNS’s condition and the film is now running smoothly on all single-screen theatres and multiplexes in India.

In a meeting with Raj Thackeray, Karan Johar had also promised never to work with Pakistani actors again.

After ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, it is now Shah Rukh Khan’s film ‘Raees’ that has sparked fresh controversy. While the ADHM makers were happy to make peace with MNS and contributed to Indian Army’s fund, Farhan Akhtar has decided not to give in to Raj Thackeray’s demand of paying 5 Cr as the Indian Army wouldn’t take it.

He was reported as saying, “No question of giving Rs 5 crore to the Army (for Raees) as they have refused to take it.”

The film also features Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.

The ‘Rock On 2’ star also said that it is the duty of the state government to protect film fraternity so that they do not have to succumb to pressure from anyone. "We are law abiding tax payers and the state should take care of us,” asserted Farhan.

Farhan even went on to question Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Phadnavis’s credibility calling his way of dealing with MNS’s  demands as ‘terrible precedent’ and called the ADHM incident ‘unfortunate’.

“The only word, I think, that comes to mind is unfortunate, because it has set a terrible precedent,” said Akhtar.

‘Raees’ is scheduled to release on January 26 next year.