Filmmaker Karan Johar has released an official statement on the entire controversy around the release of his upcoming film — Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The film is being targeted because it features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. Karan was, earlier, asked to remove Fawad from the film or else it will not be released in the country. Since then, several people both from inside and outside of the industry spoke on the matter. Some condemned the ban while few supported. But Karan never came up front talking about his stance on the issue. He kept saying with his tiny statements here and there stating that nothing or nobody can stop Ae Dil Hai Mushkil from releasing in the country.
And now, in a video sent to the media, the filmmaker can be seen opening his heart out on the issue. He starts his explanation saying that he loves his country and his duty towards his nation comes before anything else he does in his life. In the statement, however, he further mentions that he will not work with any Pakistani actor in future. “I won’t engage any Pak actor,” says Karan in the video.
Apart from Fawad, who has a small role in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, the film features Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in the lead. Slated to hit the screens on 28 October, the film is facing a Box Office clash with Ajay Devgn’s Shivaay and is a big Diwali release this year.
After the producer’s guild meeting that happened earlier today, 18 October, Mukesh Bhatt had also released a statement. He said:
“I have appealed with folded hands to my brothers in MNS. I know they are upset and so am I but let’s do it peacefully. Let’s not spoil Diwali of the people of our country. We are harming a fellow Indian. Pakistani ka kya gaya isme? Kuch nahi gaya. Woh Toh mazze le raha hai. Hass raha hai. So let Pakistanis not feel victorious. We brothers should come together and it’s the festival of us Hindus. Why to destroy our festivals? This is my appeal to all my MNS brothers. Let’s be together and make Diwali good for all Indians.”
Wonder what would be the next development in the controversy!
