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Raees producer Farhan Akhtar says no to MNS' 5 crore demand

MNS has already coerced Karan Johar to pay 5 crore to the army as penance for casting a Pakistani actor

30 Oct, 2016

Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hia Mushkil made it to the box office this weekend, after Karan Johar appeased the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena by agreeing to pay Rs5 crore to the Army Welfare Fund as penance for casting Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in the film.

But fellow filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, whose upcoming film Raees stars Pakistani actor Mahira Khan, regrets that Karan caved to the pressure from MNS.

According to reports, Farhan has said that there's "no question of giving Rs. 5 crore to the Army" as they have refused to take the amount.

Elaborating further, Farhan said that most members of the film industry are "law-abiding tax payers" and put the onus on the state to take care of them.

Responding to his remark, MNS cine wing president Ameya Khopkar reportedly said, "Release nazdik aane do phir dekh lenge (Let the film's release come closer, we will look into it). By the way, where were these people when the decision of donating Rs 5 crores was taken? Suddenly everyone is waking up." He further questioned why the producers who readily pay Pakistani artistes have an issue donating money to the Indian Army.

Earlier, Farhan had said that Karan's 'donation' to the army "has "set a terrible precedent", especially since resistance to their films did not come from the government, but "the people who threaten with violence".

Comments

AXH Oct 30, 2016 09:40am

So what is the Indian government doing to protect these tax paying film makers who hired these actors from across the border when there was no restriction on casting them? This is called classic bullying from the right-wing Hindu terrorists.

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Tariq Khan Oct 30, 2016 09:50am

Terrorists taking over india.

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Prateik Oct 30, 2016 10:12am

Farhan Akhtar must be regretting his decision to cast Mahira Khan in his movie.

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ahmad Oct 30, 2016 03:56pm

I salute you Farhan. Just stick to your ground and don't give up like that sissy Karan Johar at the last moment.

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Indian aurat Oct 30, 2016 06:12pm

I do not understand why Mahira Khan was chosen. Sorry but she is very average looking and most probably cannot dance if her life depended on it. There are far more beautiful and talented actresses in India.

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Sach Oct 31, 2016 12:26am

@Indian aurat Unfortunately this isn't the point of discussion here

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Ali Oct 31, 2016 09:23am

I wonder why our Indian friends forget that their films were also being released in Pakistan generating much more revenue for Indian producers compared to what they were paying to Pakistani actors.

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Heena ali Oct 31, 2016 10:36am

I didn't know India had Talibans too called MNS and shiv Sena. Let me prove .Talibans would harass common people to do what they want them to do and so does MNS .talibans would ask for money pass a truck through their area and MNS asks for money to release a movie .If you don't obey them they will harm u in any way ,see any similarity.Talibans would only think Muslims like themselves are the real Muslims rest are hypocrites so does MNS.Talibans would always spread hatred against other minorities and so does MNS. So my question is that where is the biggest democracy claim when Indian film makers have to bend down in front of Hindu Talibans ?

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Tyron Oct 31, 2016 11:28am

We must not hire any Pakistanis. They can act in China but not in India. Miss khan must not be allowed to step on Indian soil. Pak sympathizer like the khans n akhtar must leave India n make movies in Pakistan

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D.K.PAMNANI Oct 31, 2016 12:53pm

Farhan Akhtar should know that there are more talented Beautiful Heroines in India. Reason for casting Mahir is not known to us. Any MAJBOORI?

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Indian Oct 31, 2016 03:41pm

The reason for casting a Pakistani actor is it can reach a wider audience. That is the aim of normal film maker. Any way this was done before URI attack. If that is good or bad only god knows. I f I keep my emotions aside and think, we should not ban a movie just because it got a Pakistani actor. We should leave that to the audience to decide.

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Spjinx Oct 31, 2016 08:37pm

@Indian That is the right approach to the current issue relating movie releases let the JUNTA decide.

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FY. Oct 31, 2016 10:43pm

More power to you Farhan! I agree KJo set a terrible, and dangerous, precedent. Farhan could bring the Indian Army's PR dept. into the fold - "near the release" - to admonish MNS's behaviour. The Army should do so, especially if violence becomes a realistic probability.

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Siva D Oct 31, 2016 11:59pm

Farhan is correct. The onus is on the govt to act against MNS and other thugs.

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Zack Khan-Pakistani Nov 01, 2016 12:41am

@Tyron bigger the country smaller the heart!!!

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Citizen Nov 01, 2016 09:50am

@FY, let release dates come nearer, you will see Farhan willing to donate double that amount.

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Sam Nov 01, 2016 10:23am

I loved almost all movie of farhaan be it as director or as actor, but right now farhaan is acting and promoting his film, this is the best way of great media coverage. Ahdm is very average film I wasted my 350 rupees, but 1st 3 day of release ,shows how much publicity can help movi. Its not farhaan almost all director actress actress are doing these thing. Govt and army has already scolded and refused any donation in this matter, Indian army generally dont speak, but it has in very strong word refused donation and said stupid politician /others to not bring arny between their useless fights.

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Zeeshan Nov 03, 2016 09:35am

Since KJ has already made this dangerous precedence so it is a humble request to all muslim across the glob to not to watch adhm as the revenue raised will be made to bring more injustice /killings to our kashmiri brothers ans sisters.. further mahira khan should condemn as she should not be part of any project by which indian army get benefited.

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