Gujarat 'don' Abdul Latif's son wants to take Raees makers to court

Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan's 'Raees' is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films of 2017 and is all set to release on January 25.

The trailer of the film released recently and went on to break numerous records in terms of the number of hits it garnered on social media. The first song 'Laila O Laila’ featuring Sunny Leone has added to the buzz related to the film.

However, there seems to be some trouble for the makers of the film. Numerous reports of Shah Rukh’s character in the film being based on late Gujarat-based liquor mafia 'don' Abdul Latif had been doing the rounds, but the makers had clarified that they weren’t true.  But Latif’s son Mustaq Shaikh believed that the portrayal was lopsided and had lodged a defamation suit worth Rs. 100 crores in April against the makers in the Gujarat High Court demanding a stay on the film.

The court had directed Shaikh to watch the film before coming to a conclusion and he is now set to take legal action against the film after the release of the film. "I have watched the film's trailer, and what they (makers) say doesn't matter. It is clearly based on my father's life. I will wait till the matter is taken up in court again after the film's release," Shaikh told mid-day.

Shaikh’s legal team says that the makers had approached him regarding the details of his late father but are now not pleased with the depiction as they feel that have made Latif look like a goon and hence it is highly defamatory. 

Mushtaq's lawyer Harsh Gajjarsaid,  "(Latif's) family was approached by the makers in 2014 to reveal details of his look and work. My client's family parted with the information with the faith that it wouldn't be commercialised.

But the depiction looks lopsided. He [Latif] has been made to look like a gunda. None of the positive work he did, including winning the elections and helping people, has been highlighted."

The facts have been manipulated to defame Latif. We are waiting to check if the family is credited [for sharing the information]. My client must be compensated for the damage caused to his family's reputation." 

Mushtaq's personal legal counsel, Ilyas Pathan, said, "Another major bone of contention is the depiction of Latif's wife. No hijab-wearing lady of Daryapuri has ever been caught for being involved in the liquor business. The local Muslim community has taken offense to the inappropriate depiction and intends to file a petition. Haraam ki cheezein dikha rahe ho jo ki sach nahin hai." 

‘Raees’ also stars Mahira Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui among others.