While it seemed that the relations between India and Pakistan were finally thawing out –at least between Pakistani celebrities and Bollywood (after the announcement of Mahira and Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees’ release in India) it seems things might be going down the same murky path as it did with the Fawad Khan starrer, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
According to reports by Indian media, a distributor of the film in Chattisgarh province, amongst others have received letters from Shiv Sena, the opposition party of MNS, which warns about the consequences they’ll face if the film is distributed within India itself.
The distributor took to Twitter to question the motives behind the letter:
Dear @AUThackeray,
We have received this threat letter from your Chhattisgarh unit against playing @iamsrk's #Raees. Do you endorse it? pic.twitter.com/RHai71yGZV— Akshaye Rathi / अक्षय राठी (@akshayerathi) January 10, 2017
Things had seemed to be falling in place for Raees after Bollywood’s ‘King Khan’ had a meeting (and apparently paid a fine of INR 5 crore) with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, but now there is a twist in the tale. In what seems like a decision taken by Shiv Sena to mimic the actions taken by MNS in a political move to create importance for itself, it only makes us wonder if this possibly has a monetary motive behind it. After all, Bollywood films starring Pakistani artistes have become an easy target in the country.
Although no one wants to see the Mahira Khan starrer suffering the same fate that ADHM faced in India and Pakistan, the film comes at a time when political indifferences between both nations may render it a possible target of hatred. Only time will tell. Keep watching this space for more details.
