The home minister has assured us full protection and not to worry about the release of the movie.
Movie buffs can have a cool date with Karan Johar's romantic drama Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM) on Diwali weekend without fearing any disruption for doling out on Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.
Going against the jingoist cries from several quarters not to screen movies having Pakistani artists and banish all Pakistani actors, union home minister Rajnath Singh has assured Bollywood producers full police protection to the theatre exhibitors and audience wherever the movie is going to be screened.
"The home minister has assured us full protection and not to worry about the release of the movie. I came here as a concerned and unsure person but am much relieved after meeting the home minister. He assured us that he would speak to all chief ministers and ensure that the film is screened without any fear," said Mukesh Bhatt, Producer's Guild president.
Amid threats by groups like Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) that they would vandalise cinema halls to block the screening of ADHM because it stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, Bhatt had gone to seek protection from Rajnath Singh. He was accompanied by other film producers and union minister Babul Supriyo.
However, Karan Johar has urged his movie was shot much before tension between India and Pakistan escalated. "I beseech you to know one thing– that over 300 Indian people in my crew have put their blood, sweat and tears in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, he said.
"Producers do understand the sentiment of the nation. MNS cannot have the right to take law in their hands. They have harassed people before," Babul Supriyo said.
However, it up to the theatre owners to decide and screen the film. A section of cinema owners in four states have said they will not release ADHM because along with Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, it features Fawad Khan.
When asked about Pakistan's decision to ban all Indian films, Bhat said, "What India has got to do with. They are a closed society and have done it for 35 years. Let us celebrate the spirit of Diwali by watching this entertainer. Our job is to entertain not to do politics,"Bhatt added.
Striking a conciliatory tone Bhatt described MNS activists as brothers that have gone astray and instead of being confronted should be transformed.
Home ministry sources said that Rajnath Singh is also planning to go to Mumbai on Friday coinciding his visit with film's release.
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