Is SRK delaying the release of Raees because of Mahira Khan?

Fist it was Salman Khan's Sultan that pushed the release date of Raees ahead, now it seems like the reason could be Mahira Khan.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, Shah Rukh Khan may have taken Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) threat seriously as an insider discloses he may be pushing the release date of his film Raees as it stars Pakistani actor Mahira Khan.

“SRK’s film is introducing Mahira. After the MNS asked all Pakistani actors to return to their country in the wake of the Uri terror attacks, the makers are now worried this development can severely affect the business of the film,” says the insider.

The film which is set for release on January 26th, the same date as Rakesh Roshan's Kaabil, may see a later release. Reportedly, SRK is in talks with his team on what to do next.

“Because of the MNS order, the makers want to push the release date to avoid double losses. Also, they can’t afford to have the movie boycotted at the last moment due to the current tension between India and Pakistan. If the film is postponed, it will be a big win for Hrithik. Both Dilwale (2015) and Fan didn’t fare well at the box office. So, SRK will avoid taking a risk like that,” added the source.

Last week, Indian right-wing political party MNS gave a 48-hour period to all Pakistani artistes to leave their country otherwise they will do it themselves, forcefully. While no prominent Pakistani artiste was present in India, upcoming concerts of Shafqat Amanat Ali and Atif Aslam have been cancelled.

This was soon followed by a "direct threat" by MNS to Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar for casting Pakistani actors in their films.

In a latest development on the cultural front of Pak-India tensions, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) has “banned” Pakistani actors, singers and technicians from working in India till “normalcy” returns. While on this side of the border, local cinemas have stopped the screening of Indian films.

Will the tensions hamper the release of Fawad Khan's upcoming KJo production Ae Dil Hai Mushkil this October? That is yet to be seen.