AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL ROW Producers seek police protection for multiplexes

In the backdrop of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) threat to multiplex cinemas on screening movies starring Pakistani actors, a delegation of

A delegation of film producers, including Mukesh Bhatt and Sidhartha Roy Kapoor, met senior Mumbai police officers on Tuesday to demand security for multiplexes screening movies with Pakistani artists, in the wake of threats from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The MNS issued the threat to multiplex cinemas to not screen the soon-to-be-released movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

The MNS has asked theatre owners not to screen film-maker and producers Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, a movie featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, will release on October 28. The delegation asked Mumbai police commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar and joint commissioner of police (law and order) Deven Bharti to give security to multiplexes willing to screen the movie. The meeting started around 11.40am and went on till post noon.

Bharti confirmed the development and said appropriate steps would be taken.

The Mumbai police issued a statement which read, “The Mumbai police will provide adequate protection to cinema theatres as and when required.”

While single screen theatres will not show the movie, local police stations will be asked to deploy personnel at the multiplexes that will screen the movie.

The police are getting details of the multiplexes. “An official communication will be sent to the police stations,” said Ashok Dudhe, Mumbai police spokesperson.

Mukesh Bhatt said they did not want Diwali to be ruined for movie buffs and urged political outfits to show restraint.