The Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association has urged theatre owners to refrain from screening Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, owing to the tension between India and Pakistan.
However Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani has said that only the CBFC can stay the release of a film. Nihalani told a leading portal:
"Films already shot before changed relations between India and Pakistan should not be affected. Once cleared by censor board, the association does not have the right to ban or take decision not to screen a film".
He also said that a financial motive may be responsible for the clamp down on Ae Dil Hai Mushkil as Shivaay is a safer bet for the single screen owners. He said:
"These cinema owners are hiding behind an excuse not to show a film."
Directed by Karan Johar, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a pivotal role.