Ae Dil Hai Mushkil controversy: MNS threatens to vandalise multiplex theatres; producers seek police protection

While it looked like Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is finally ready to open in theatres on October 28, after the makers announced that it will release as scheduled, it seems like the Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma-starrer is in for more trouble.

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) that has been protesting against the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil as it is featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, has intensified the protest. Now, MNS has issued a threat of vandalism to the multiplex owners if they screened it.

"We will oppose the screening of the movie everywhere in the state. If any multiplex operator dares to screen the film, they (operators) should remember that multiplexes are decorated with expensive glass sheets," MNS leader Amey Khopkar said, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

However, soon after MNS issued threats to vandalise multiplexes if they screened the movie, producers of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil along with other Bollywood producers Mukesh Bhatt and Sidhartha Roy Kapoor met Mumbai Police Commissioner DD  Padsalgikar and joint commissioner of police (law and order) Deven Bharti on Tuesday, October 18 and demanded security for cinema houses screening the film.

Mumbai police have however, assured protection. "The Mumbai police will provide adequate protection to cinema theatres as and when required," the city police said in a statement, Hindustan Times reported.

Meanwhile, Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) decided not to release the film in single screen theatres in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and parts of Karnataka. The association took the decision keeping the public sentiment in mind and owing to the ban of Pakistani artistes working in India.