Karan Johar responds to MNS threat, says ‘banning Pakistani talent’ is not the solution to terrorism

Responding to being asked to cut edit the scenes of Pakistani actors from his movie Karan Johar says, "banning talent from Pakistan was not the solution to terrorism"

Karan Johar’s upcoming directorial venture Ae Dil Hai Mushkil which has actor Fawad Khan playing one of the main characters of the movie and Shah Rukh Khan’s 2017 release Raees has actress Mahira Khan in leading roles, both the movie has come under the scanner of people demanding for the cultural boycott.Pakistani actors performing in India has reportedly been threatened by The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Talents like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar and comedian Shakeel Siddiqui  have been asked to leave the country by Sunday. Also, Shiv Sena has made demands for those who engage in any association with Pakistani performers shall be booked for “supporting a terrorist nation”. Though Mumbai Police has promised security to the actors, however this demand of ‘cultural boycott’ has brought stress to both the film fraternity and talents.

Karan Johar, in a TownHall discussion with NDTV expressed his views on the issue. Speaking of how he empathize with those who martyred he said, attacking soft targets like artists and performers can never be the solutions to stop terrorism. “I understand the anger and the anguish that surrounds us. I feel my heart bleeds for those who lost their lives” Johar said. Responding to being asked to cut edit the scenes of Pakistani actors from his movie he says, “banning talent from Pakistan was not the solution to terrorism” and “I am a filmmaker telling a love story. Today, I feel I am a vulnerable soft target.” he added.

Karan Johar stated that he doesn’t agree or disagree with the cultural boycott, but he don’t see it as a solution to stop terrorism. Unclear of how he is going to combat the demands of removing bits of Fawad Khan in the movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Karan asks “everyone to look at this very holistically” and work towards the ‘larger situation’. After the Uri terror attack, in a bizarre turn of events actor Fawad Khan was asked in an open letter addressed to him to pack his bags and leave the country. This gave rise to the debate of ‘banning Pakistani actors’ to work in India.

Amey Khopkar, president of film wing of MNS threatened to beat up all the Pakistani actors living in Mumbai or Maharashtra if they don’t leave the country by Sunday. We can reach wherever they are shooting or residing after the deadline. It is better that they leave Mumbai before we reach there,” said Khopkar. (ALSO READ: Leave India in 48 hours: MNS warns Pakistan actors, threatens to deal with MNS style if warning ignored)

Commissioner Deven Bharti of Mumbai Police in his statement assured artists of their security, “All foreign nationals who are in Mumbai on valid documents provided by the Government of India need not worry. We will provide adequate protection when required.”

Along with Fawad Khan playing role in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Mahira Khan performing in Raees, Ali Zafar is signed in Dear Zindagi and Shakeel Siddiqui is also working in comedy show.