Mumbai: Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying he "brokered deal" with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) instead of enforcing law and order, amid the row around the release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil".
Johar accompanied by Producers' Guild President Mukesh Bhatt met Fadnavis yesterday along with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, whose party had been opposing the release of the film, which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.
In the meeting, it was decided that Bollywood film producers would not engage with Pakistani artistes in future and Johar will have to to put a special mention in the beginning of the film paying homage to martyrs of the Uri attacks.
"What a sorry state of affairs! CM brokers deal and buys patriotism for 5 crores! After Home minister had promised peaceful passage for #ADHM," Azmi, 66, posted on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/AzmiShabana/status/790034863562821632
"Sangh Parivar speaks in different voices most blatant expression is CM MHRSTA brokering deal with MNS instead of enforcing law and order for ADHM release."
https://twitter.com/AzmiShabana/status/790036844750798848
Further slamming MNS, Azmi said that the party of noone to decide people's patriotism.
"MNS will decide whether I am patriotic or not? I bow to the Indian Constitution, Raj Thackeray does not. Whose patriotism needs questioning?"
https://twitter.com/AzmiShabana/status/790038828732059652
Before the meeting with the CM, Bhatt and a representative from Dharma Productions, which has produced "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who had assured a smooth release of the film.
"CM Fadnavis shows scant respect for Home Ministers assurance of safe passage for #ADHM. BJP better haul him up and demand explanation."
https://twitter.com/AzmiShabana/status/790039647493693440
"Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", starring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles, will released on October 28.