MNS: We are not against Shah Rukh Khan or Karan Johar, but don't work with Pakistani artistes

Following the Uri terror attacks, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) officials demanded a ban on the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raees as the films star Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, respectively, in pivotal roles.

At a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday, MNS' Ameya Khopkar said the political party is not against Shah Rukh Khan or Karan Johar, however they are against their stance of working with Pakistani artistes.

"We are not against Karan Johar or Shah Rukh Khan. Our main issue is their working with Pakistani artistes. We had given a 48 hour summon and today not even a single artiste is in India. We don't know if they are back in Pakistan or are residing in Dubai. But we assure you that none of them is in India," said Ameya Khopkar.

Also Read: Shiv Sena backs MNS's 48-hour ultimatum telling Pakistani actors to leave India

Shalini Thackeray from MNS even questioned the integrity of those within the film fraternity supporting Karan Johar. She said,

"Despite Fawad Khan leaving India, our protests have not ended yet. We won't let Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil release over here. We have a question for people like Varun Dhawan and Sushant Singh Rajput who are supporting Karan Johar in this matter. Where were they when India soldiers were attacked by the Pakistani terrorists?"

There have been media reports that Salman Khan, who is on good terms with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, requested the leader to let Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raees release in India. However, Shalini Thackeray denied such reports.

"The reports are completely false. Salman Khan did not call Raj Thackeray."

Fawad Khan was supposed to be in India for the promotions of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in October 2016, however given the backlash, it seems Karan Johar might have to change his marketing plan.