Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister of Maharashtra, has maintained that he opposed a financial deal between the producers of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raj Thackeray, the chief of a radical Hindu political party.
Karan Johar’s film faced threats and protests by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers for casting Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.
The film’s smooth release, scheduled for October 28 in India (October 27 in the UAE), was ensured at the meeting between the Film Producers’ Guild, producers and Thackeray, mediated by Fadnavis last week. A key demand by Thackeray was a Rs50 million (Dh2.7 million) contribution from producers to the army welfare fund.
“Thackeray had put three demands, out of which there was no objections to the other two. When the issue of Rs5 crore [Rs50 million] came up, I intervened and made it clear to the Film Producers’ Guild that they need not have to agree to it. I also told them that the contribution has to be made voluntarily. However, it was producers’ decision to accept it,” Fadnavis said.
“I categorically told that although it is nice that the guild has decided to stand by the families of our martyrs but it is not a compulsion. Still if they wish to do, they may contribute whatever amount they feel [is] appropriate. This figure of Rs5 crore came from MNS but was not agreed in the meeting and turned down then and there only,” he added.
Asked about allegations of brokering the deal, Fadnavis said: “Another choice was deploying thousands of police staff outside theatres [when the film releases[. I would have then faced allegations [that] I have spoiled the Diwali holiday mood of police staff. Issues should be solved by talking, and we are a democratic government,” Fadnavis said.
Ae Dil releases during festivities for the Hindu celebration of Diwali.
Before his intervention, Mumbai Police had already arrested MNS activists, hence there should not be any doubts about the government’s intentions, Fadnavis said. Some even said that the state government is playing both sides, which is not true, he added.
BJP’s ally, the Shiv Sena, has slammed the chief minister’s intervention in the matter and termed Fadnavis’ act as “siding with Pakistani personalities.”
On this, the Fadnavis said: “Did our governments not talk with separatists like Hurriyat [Conference] or negotiate with Naxal groups for peace? Then holding discussions with a political party, though this is comparatively a minor one [issue], should not be criticised so bitterly. I think, successful mediation has disappointed some people,” he said.
