BREAKING! Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raees to be BANNED by the theatre owners association

Here’s the latest update on the controversy surrounding the ban on Fawad Khan’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Mahira Khan’s Raees…
You gotta check out this latest shocker regarding the ban on Pakistani artistes. As per reports, Cinema Owners and exhibitors association in a meeting today have decided that NO films with Pakistani artists will be screened, not even in single screens. Yes! And mind you there’s no exception in this case. Turns out this boycott by Cinema Owners and Exhibitors association will be applicable on ALL films that have Pakistani actors,musicians,technicians irrespective of whether they have already shot for the film or shooting midway.

Now does this mean Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees will NOT hit the screens considering they are the only two films being majorly attacked for starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan respectively? Well, certainly looks like it; especially if we talk about Ae Dil for it’s just two weeks ahead of the release date. In fact, earlier Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had threatened to block the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in Maharashtra. Later, the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) announced a ban on Pakistani actors but had requested MNS for a smooth release of films that have already been finished.

While Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is far from getting escaped from this mess given that it’s the first film to release with a Pakistani actor. Raees producer Ritesh Sidhwani stirs clear saying, “I’d only say 1 thing.I have shot with @TheMahiraKhan for 45 days and finished the film.i hope that clarifies things”

This reminds us how TOI had previously quoted Nitin Datar, COEAI’s president about this today’s meeting saying, “The members will be meeting and we’ll decide on the matter. But one thing is for certain — the decision will be taken keeping the wishes and the sentiment of the public. We won’t go against them.” Obviously COEAI’s decision encompasses films that have Pakistani artistes as well as technicians associated with them in any capacity. In a televised press conference, Nitin Datar said that the decision was not taken under any political pressure, but rather, keeping public sentiment in mind.

Apart from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raees, Shah Rukh Khan’s Dear Zindagi too might face opposition for starring Ali Zafar in a prominent role. What are your thoughts about this ban? Tell us in the comments below and we’ll be back with more updates on this hot story.