Karan Johar has been facing threats from the film wing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for casting Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Imran Abbas in his upcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil set for Diwali release.
It is understood that the director, producer and occasional actor has increased the security at his home in Mumbai after an MSN worker started protesting outside the premises. MNS had threatened Pakistani actors to leave India with a 48-hour-ultimatum soon after the Uri attacks. It is understood that all Pakistani actors have already left the city, including Khan.
The Raj Thackeray-led party had also demanded that filmmakers stop hiring Pakistani actors for Indian films. Despite the threats from MNS, Johar's Dharma Productions was reluctant to succumb.
"I understand the anger and the anguish that surround us and I empathize, my heart bleeds for the lost lives. There is nothing that can justify this terrible feeling of terror. Then you are faced in a situation such as this [ban on Pakistani artistes]. If this was truly a solution, then one would take it," Johar told Barkha Dutt of NDTV.
Johar further added that the target on him and his film based on hate makes him exceptionally sad, because his intention was to put out a product out of love. "Sometimes, you just want to fold your hands and say, 'we are a creative industry. Please leave us alone. We make movies, we spread love,'" he added.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Aishwarya Rai, Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Fawad Khan is set for release on Diwali, October 28.
