KJo's said he won't work with Pakistani talent anymore, but MNS isn't convinced

Yesterday, Bollywood producer/director Karan Johar released a statement, in which he announced his intention to no longer "engage" with Pakistani "talent".

Karan said, "For me my country comes first, nothing else matters to me but my country."

"I'd like say that of course, I'll not engage with talent from the neighbouring country given the circumstance, but with same energy I beseech you to know that more than 300 Indians in my crew have put their blood, sweat and tears into Ae Dil Hai Mushkil," the filmmaker had added.

However, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is not convinced, reports Indian Express.

The party has been threatening to interfere with the screening of Karan's much awaited production, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil because it features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a small role. The MNS demands that Pakistani stars be completely boycotted as a response to the September 18 Uri attack.

In response to Karan's video statement, Amey Khopkar, President of MNS' film wing, said, “Has he realised it only now? He didn’t understand it for such a long time?”

Amey also thought some of Karan’s choice of words was suspect.

“He has not mentioned Pakistani actors. He has said he won’t work with the neighbouring country’s talent. Talent?”

Moreover, Shalini Thackeray, general secretary of Chitrapat Karmachari Sena, wasn't convinced by Karan’s sudden change of heart.

“This is the same Karan Johar who once said Pakistani actors should not be banned. Why this sudden change in heart? It’s come a little too late in the day for him.”

So MNS has declared that it has no plans of withdrawing their agitation against the film. “We are firm on our stand and we will not allow him to release the film,” said Khopkar.