'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' ban: Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra, Sushant Singh Rajput support Karan Johar

Image courtesy- movie still

Mumbai: Bollywood actors Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra have batted for the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', while actress Kajol stayed mum on the issue after a cinema owners association announced it would not release films with Pakistani actors in four states.

The Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) recently said it won't release films starring actors from Pakistan, in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa.

This has led to an uncertainty on the release of Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', as it features Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan. The movie, also starring Aishwarya Rai, Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, is slated to hit the theatres on October 28.

Alia said she felt it is unfair to stall the release of a film.

The actress, who is close to Johar, said she has seen bits of the movie and found it beautiful.

"On a personal level I found the film very beautiful and I've seen bits of it. It is an emotional film. On the other level, as a proud resident of this country and as a privileged member of the industry, I feel whatever is happening with the film at this point is unfair," she said.

"Because when the film was shot, a year ago, the climate was nice. The current climate I know how it is, but it was good back then," she told reporters here last night.

Actor Sushant Singh Rajput said he would love to watch the film first day first show.

"I admire Ranbir as an actor, I love Karan Johar's films and I have loved the trailer. So I am looking forward to the film...If given a chance on the first day I'll go and watch the film," he said.

Sidharth Malhotra also found COEAI's decision unjustified.

"As an actor, as somebody who is part of the industry, I think it's not fair to a filmmaker because the film was made a year ago. The political scenario was very different. I've worked with him (Fawad)," he said.

"I feel it is not fair to a filmmaker who is making a love story which has got nothing to do with the political scenario. Also, we are not stopping any other ties with that country, but only movies," he added.

Actress Swara Bhaskar also slammed the recent development.

"Ban on #AeDilHaiMushkil good example of how cinema in India is vulnerable to all kinds of arbit rage & misguided passion of everyone...," she tweeted.

"Instead of banning & boycotting films I wonder how many self proclaimed patriots make any real contribution benefiting our soldiers???" she said, rallying behind Johar and wished him all the best for the film.

"@karanjohar here's wishing you strength! Keep calm & carry on all the way to box office #diwali I am going to take truckloads for #AeDilHaiMushkil," she tweeted.

Kajol, whose husband Ajay Devgn's 'Shivaay' is clashing with 'ADHM' at the box-office, kept mum on the matter and also didn't comment on her alleged rift with Johar.