After all the brouhaha over Pakistani artistes, writer-producer-director Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will finally hit cinema halls across the country this Diwali (October 28).

Thanks to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ “intervention” and “tea invitation” (chai pe charcha) to Mr Johar, MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Producers' Guild president Mukesh Bhatt at his official residence (Varsha) on Saturday morning. Strangely, nobody from the Shiv Sena was invited for the meeting, albeit the BJP-Sena has an alliance in the state. Political pundits viewed the CM’s move as clever ploy to give undue importance to MNS and sideline the Sena.

Mr Fadnavis said that the producers and MNS chief had “positive discussion” on the issue and mutually agreed to release the film. “The producers told me that it was the policy of the previous government (Congress) to have exchange of artistes to enhance relations. But now the situation has changed. Pakistan has banned our movies there and spreading terror in our country. Therefore they have decided not to take Pakistani artistes. They also agreed to pay tributes to the martyrs before screening of the movie,” the CM said.

However, Mr Fadnavis’ initiative to call Mr Thackeray to discussion table and allow him to set conditions for a movie release invited lot of flak on social networking sites.

Former BJP leader Arun Shourie was among the people who lambasted the Maharashtra CM. “Issue isn't Raj Thackeray fixed amount for movie release, he is usual himself. Mahrashtra has elected a spineless CM, that’s saddening fact. (Sic)” Mr Shourie posted on his twitter handle.

Mr Fadnavis added, “The producers wanted to contribute something towards the army welfare fund through the defence minister. I welcomed their move. Now, the controversy is over.”

The MNS, however, claimed they were the ones who imposed these conditions on the ADHM producers — like contributing Rs 5 crore to the army welfare fund and paying tribute to martyrs before film screening. However, filmmakers refuted these claims, saying nobody had forced Mr Johar to cough up with Rs 5 crore or dedicate the film to soldiers.

After spewing venom at Pakistani artistes and threatening tinsel town biggies with “MNS style” treatment, a mellowed Mr Thackeray said, “We asked the producers to give us in writing that they will not take any Pakistani artiste, technician and singer in their movies. As reparation, the producers should contribute Rs 5 crore to the army welfare fund and hand over the cheque to the defence minister and make the photo public.” He added, “A tribute should be offered at every screening to those martyred in various terror strikes including the recent Uri and Pathankot attacks.”

This is not the first time that the MNS chief has created a ruckus and then withdrawn or mellowed down its opposition. Producers Sidharth Roy Kapur, Sajid Nadiadwala and Vijay Singh of Fox Star Studios, who were also present in the meeting. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Bhatt said that ADHM will release as per schedule on October 28. "We discussed the unfortunate events related to the film's release. We are Indians first and then comes our business," he said, adding, "Johar will display a slate of tribute for the Uri martyrs before ADHM starts playing out in the screens. It is a tribute from us to our soldiers.”