IMPPA approaches MNS to ensure 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', 'Raees' release

Karan Johar and Fawad Khan, who stars in 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'

In the wake of the Uri attacks last month, the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) announced a ban on Pakistani artistes in Bollywood, after which the fate of films, which feature Pakistani names, has remained dodgy. That the right wing outfits have threatened to disallow release Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' starring Fawad Khan this Diwali and Shah Rukh Khan's 'Raees' with Mahira Khan on R-Day 2017 only adds to the industry's woes.

Yesterday, IMPPA members, including President TP Aggarwal and vice president Ashoke Pandit, met Ameya Khopkar and Shalini Thackeray of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)'s film affairs wing, to request for the smooth release of guild members KJo and SRK's films.

"During the meeting, we requested them to allow the films, which have already been shot, to release. Pakistani artistes have made their money and gone back to their country, but here, producers will incur losses (if the films don't release)," said Aggarwal.

Mahira Khan, who stars in Raees with SRK

Questioning why Indian producers are being compelled to bear the brunt of the ongoing Indo-Pak tension, Pandit says, "Shah Rukh and Karan are members of IMPPA and, as a guild, it is our duty to stand up for them," he says.

Khopkar, who heads the MNS' cine wing and produces regional films too, says, "We met them, but we won't allow the release of the two films." Party insiders, however, say he might just give in sooner or later. Pandit is optimistic, too. "We hope Raj Thackeray (MNS chief) relents. He's a big cinema lover, after all. He is one of us and will understand."

He adds IMPPA will also facilitate a smooth release for Dinesh Vijan's rom-com, Hindi Medium, starring Pakistani actress Saba Qamar. The film, which also features Irrfan in the lead, has largely been shot. "However, given that YRF's Habib Faisal's next directorial venture starring Danyal Zafar (Pak singer-actor Ali Zafar's brother) hasn't gone on the floors yet, we would not lend a helping hand. For films that are complete, demanding a re-shoot would be criminal," Pandit explains.

Meanwhile, IMPPA has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray, requesting ban on tourist visas for Pakistani nationals and cancellation of work permits of artistes from across the border. Says Pandit, "We never know what an artiste from the other side is forced to do by their government. Anybody can be corrupt or be turned over. We need to put nationalism before everything else."

Following in the footsteps of the IMPPA, the Cinema Owners And Exhibitors Association of India has called for a ban on Pakistani talent for films that are yet to go into production.