The Maharashtra-based right-wing outfit Shiv Sena has threatened a leading film distributor Akshay Rathi for releasing Shah Rukh Khan’s film Raees in his theatre. Akshay Rathi allegedly received threatening letters from the outfit’s Chattisgarh wing. This marks another in a series of controversies for the film.
The distributor went on social media platform Twitter to share copies of the alleged letter online.
Dear @AUThackeray,
We have received this threat letter from your Chhattisgarh unit against playing @iamsrk's #Raees. Do you endorse it? pic.twitter.com/RHai71yGZV— Akshaye Rathi (@akshayerathi) January 10, 2017
Request all @iamsrk fans to help me bring this to the notice of @AUThackeray. I'm sure he will take action against this nuisance. #Raees https://t.co/k6xvFMi1aM
— Akshaye Rathi (@akshayerathi) January 10, 2017
Dear @drramansingh ji & @CGAbhishekSingh,
Please look into this to let law & order prevail in #Chhattisgarh. #Raees @ChhattisgarhCMO pic.twitter.com/wFLG93YNkG— Akshaye Rathi (@akshayerathi) January 10, 2017
Earlier, Shahrukh Khan had paid a visit to the MNS chief Raj Thackeray to negotiate for a smooth release for his film. The 51-year-old actor clarified that Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, who plays the female lead in the movie, would not be a part of the film’s promotions. He had also assured Thackeray that he would not work with Pakistani talent again. The MNS had subsequently promised to not cause any trouble.
The issue over Raees came in the wake of Karan Johar’s public apology at the behest of right-wing pressure for including Fawad Khan in his film Ae Dil Hain Mushkil. He was threatened by the political party that the film would be banned unless he deposited Rs. 5 crore with the Army Welfare Scheme. However, senior Army officersrejected the demand saying the Army should not accept money under coercion.
The relationship between India and Pakistan soured after the Uri attack in September 2016.
