Following the URI attack and India’s surgical strike along the LoC, Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) leader Amey Khopkar has confirmed that his party members intend to ‘beat up’ anyone who is found working with Pakistani artistes. The party had previously threatened Pakistani artistes to leave the country, failing which it pledged to teach them a lesson in ‘MNS style’.
We (MNS) will beat up anyone who works with Pakistani artistes.Amey Khopkar, Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) Leader
Khopkar had also threatened Indian filmmakers working with actors, musicians and technicians from across the border. The party’s blanket rule is pretty clear from Khopkar’s quote.
When asked about losses that Indian filmmakers will suffer due to this ban, Khopkar said that they should not have been hired in the first place, especially because they work here illegally on a tourist visa.
We’ve been demanding to boycott Pakistani artistes for 10 years now. They shouldn’t have selected these people in the first place. These Pakistanis don’t come here with a valid work permit, they are working on tourist visas. So, it is illegal for them to work here.Amey Khopkar
The MNS has also asked for Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil to be banned from releasing in theatres across the country, as it stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. This threat is especially targeted at the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Salman Khan, Om Puri and Mahesh Bhatt, who are either making films with Pakistani artistes or supporting the cultural exchange.
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