Film fraternity applauds Shah Rukh Khan’s stand against Shiv Sena

Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan is not alone as he maintains a tough stance against the Shiv Sena. The film fraternity, political parties, artists, fans - all have joined hands to support the superstar in the wake of the Shiv Sena`s verbal assault on him for favouring Pakistani players` inclusion in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Supporters are using different ways and means including micro-blogging sites to voice their opinions against the despotic tendencies of the Shiv Sena. "Shah Rukh is the most secular and the most fair guy I know! It`s unfair to judge his movie based on his opinions! I do love Karan Johar and Shah Rukh! Both are very dear to me and I will defend them if someone writes nonsense about them," film star Preity Zinta tweeted. Added Anupam Kher: "Mr P Chidambaram was displeased too for not including Pak (istani) players in IPL. No outcry about it. May be (because) he is the Home Minister. You need guts to go for him (sic)." Others who have joined the online forum include directors Mahesh Bhatt and Anubhav Sinha. Veterans like Shabana Azmi and Shyam Benegal have also rallied in support for the actor on national television. "The state must step into this immediately. The state has enough power. Why is the state not doing anything?" said Benegal. Aamir Khan also said that if he were to select IPL players, he would do so only on the basis of their performance and not nationality. Shah Rukh`s colleagues are expressing their support for him on micro-blogging website Twitter. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come out in open support of the star. The artists` community Thursday also extended strong support to the Bollywood superstar. A statement by the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT)- an umbrella organisation of artists - said: "We, the community of artists, actors, musicians and cultural artists are in full solidarity with the clear stand taken by Shah Rukh Khan in facing the recent threats against him by the Shiv Sena. "We salute the courage of Shah Rukh Khan in standing up to these threats and want him to know that the entire creative arts community stands by him," said the statement, signed by well-known theatre personality M.K. Raina, artist and photojournalist Ram Rahman, artist Vivan Sundaram, designer and filmmaker Parthiv Shah and author Indira Chandrasekhar. The Internet has also seen a flood of communities for the actor like "Support Shah Rukh Khan, Support India" and "We support Shah Rukh Khan and `My Name Is Khan`" on social networking website Facebook. Student and fans of Shah Rukh are also not happy with the situation. Shah Rukh, who owns the Kolkata Knight Riders team of IPL, had spoken against the exclusion of Pakistani cricketers from the forthcoming tournament. The Shiv Sena said if Shah Rukh failed to apologise for his statement not only would his "My Name Is Khan" be banned, but all his films could face a ban in Mumbai. The Shiv Sena has sent feelers to Mumbai cinema halls to boycott the actor`s forthcoming film "My Name Is Khan", which releases Feb 12. Sena workers have removed the film posters from several theatres.