Raj Thackeray threatens chaos over Pakistani film release: No screening for Fawad Khan!

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has issued a strong warning against the screening of the Pakistani film The Legend of Maula Jatt, starring Fawad Khan, in Maharashtra. The film is set to release in Indian theatres on October 2, marking the first Pakistani movie to do so in over a decade.

Thackeray stated that the MNS will not allow the film's release under any circumstances, emphasizing that while art typically transcends borders, this does not apply to Pakistani actors given the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. He urged theatre owners to refrain from screening the film, recalling previous actions taken by the MNS to prevent similar releases.

In his tweet, Thackeray expressed concerns about potential conflicts arising during the Navratri festival, urging the government to reconsider allowing the film's release. The film, which has been a box office hit in Pakistan, grossing over ₹400 crore, is being released in India by Zee Studios in collaboration with 'Zindagi'.

Ameya Khopkar, president of the MNS Cinema Wing, echoed Thackeray's sentiments, stressing that protests would arise against the film's release and warning of consequences for theatres that choose to screen it. The political climate surrounding Pakistani artists in India remains tense, with a ban in place since the 2016 Uri terror attack.

 

फवाद खान नावाच्या पाकिस्तानी अभिनेत्याचा, 'लिजेंड ऑफ मौला जट' नावाचा सिनेमा लवकरच भारतात प्रदर्शित होणार आहे. महाराष्ट्र नवनिर्माण सेना हा सिनेमा कुठल्याही परिस्थितीत महाराष्ट्रात प्रदर्शित होऊ देणार नाही. पाकिस्तानी कलाकारांचे सिनेमे मुळात भारतात प्रदर्शित का होऊ दिले जातात?…

— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) September 22, 2024