Pakistani artiste controversy: Producers thank cinema owners for backing 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' release

Mumbai: The producers backing Karan Johars 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' have thanked single-screen as well as multiplex theatre owners for supporting the film over its release.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which was earlier against the release of the film for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, on Saturday allowed the October 28 release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' but, said all producers who employed Pakistani artists must pay Rs 5 crore each into the Indian Army's welfare fund as atonement.

Since then, a lot of theatre owners have come out in support of the film.

"There is huge demand for ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. It is a romantic entertainer that goes well with the festive mood and the spirit of Diwali. The songs are also huge hits. The audience is definitely looking forward to watch the movie in cinemas," Alok Tandon, CEO, INOX Leisure Ltd, said in a statement.

Anil Thadani, owner of distribution house AA Films, said: "All single screens and multiplexes are screening ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. This is a big film, with big names releasing in a festive period to bring joy to our audiences."

The film features Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in the lead.

Arvind Chapalka, owner of City Pride multiplexes in Pune, said that the film will be screened in all the theatres in the city. 

The MNS decision followed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' direct intervention in the matter a day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Mumbai and two days after he met representatives of Bollywood.

Fadnavis convened a meeting on Saturday which was attended by MNS President Raj Thackeray, Karan Johar and Film and Television Producers Guild of India's President Mukesh Bhatt, among others at his official residence, Varsha, to resolve the imbroglio.

Officials at Dharma Productions and Fox Star Studios -- the banners backing the film -- are thankful over support from cinema owners.

"We thank the Film and Television Producers Guild of India who have come out in support of our film ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and also wholeheartedly thank the single screen owners and associations and multiplex owners for supporting our film and standing by us," Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma Productions, said.

Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios, said: "We are extremely thankful to the Producers Guild and the cinema owners who have stood by ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and have come out and supported us. The film talks about celebrating love".