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MNS goons halt shoot, threaten Pakistani artiste
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists on Wednesday barged into a studio where a Pakistani comedian was shooting for a television show.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists on Wednesday barged into a studio where a Pakistani comedian was shooting for a television show.
This follows MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s appeal to his supporters to ban shows and music albums of Pakistani artists to protest Pakistan’s involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks.
Shakeel Siddique was shooting for Comedy Circus, Chinchpokli to China —produced by Sony TV — at Mohan Studios in Andheri when around 30 MNS activists barged in, shouting anti-Pakistan slogans.
Led by Amey Khopkar, president of the MNS film artists union, the activists asked Siddique to pack his bags and go home. A shaken Siddique assured the protesters he would take the first flight out.
“We are keeping a watch on Pakistani artistes and when we came to know Siddiqui was shooting in Andheri, we went there. Pakistani artistes should not be allowed on Indian soil,” Khopkar said.
The MNS activists did not cause any damage as the producers reportedly assured them no Pakistani artiste would be featured in their shows.
The show’s producer could not be reached for his version.
The Congress reacted cautiously. “We don’t need any Pakistani artistes in our country but at the same time, there is no need for the MNS to take the law in its hands,” said party leader Sanjay Nirupam.
