Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who recently slammed actor Salman Khan over his comments on Pakistani artistes, has finally commented on his friendship with the latter.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who recently slammed actor Salman Khan over his comments on Pakistani artistes, has finally commented on his friendship with the latter. “People felt that I would not speak about the issue (Salman’s comments) since we are friends. But let me tell you that no one is a friend when it comes to the state and nation,” Mr Thackeray said while addressing a rally in Thane on Monday.
The MNS chief also alleged that Salman is only interested in his movies doing well in Pakistan and said he should have spoken in a responsible manner.
Mr Thackeray, furthermore, said that every issue was being raised with an eye on elections. “But our party is different from others. We don’t take up issues with eye on polls,” he claimed.
The controversy broke out on Friday when Salman and directors Anurag Kashyap and Shyam Benegal stated that boycotting Pakistani artistes in Bollywood is no solution to terrorism. Salman had said that artistes from Pakistan come to Bollywood with a proper visa and work permit. The star’s comments came in the wake of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association’s (IMPPA) resolution to ban Pakistani actors following the terror attack on an army camp in Uri last month. The MNS had also warned Pakistani artistes to leave India within 48 hours and threatened to assault those who came out in support of Pakistani actors.
The party said it would not allow the release of director Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees, which feature Pakistani actors.
Echoing the MNS’s sentiments, local Bharatiya Janata Party leaders from Maharashtra had also said that Bollywood producers and directors should not give work to Pakistani artistes, citing that there is enough talent available in India.
Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande had also slammed Salman for his comments. She had said, “Salman Khan needs to be taught a lesson. If he has so much love for Pakistani artists, he should migrate there (to Pakistan).”
Earlier, Subhash Chandra, Zee Media Network chairman and Rajya Sabha MP, had stated that the company was planning to stop the telecast of Pakistani shows on its channel Zindagi.
