Farhan Akhtar, whose production house Excel Entertainment is co-producing the upcoming Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees, has said that he would not be paying Rs 5 crore to the Indian Army - as demanded by MNS Chief Raj Thackeray - to ensure the release of the film.
According to News18, Farhan said:
No question of giving Rs 5 crore to the Army (for Raees) as they have refused to take it.Farhan Akhtar, Actor-Producer
Farhan also asserted that it was the state’s duty to look after the film industry so they did not have to succumb to pressure tactics. Raees also stars Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.
I think we are law abiding tax payers and the state should take care of us.
Farhan’s comment comes days after Bollywood producers and especially Ae Dil Hai Mushkil director Karan Johar bowed to MNS’s demands to never work with Pakistani artistes again - a deal brokered by CM Devendra Phadnavis. Raj Thackeray also said that every producer would have to pay Rs 5 crore to the Indian Army as a mark of respect.
Farhan had earlier questioned the role of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the deal, calling it a “terrible precedent”.
The only word, I think, that comes to mind is unfortunate, because it has set a terrible precedent.
(Source: News18)
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