A lot has been said and done about the entire Ae Dil Hai Mushkil release ban controversy. While the makers seem unfazed, the film industry and the rapid developments in the political circuit regarding its release has divided the country in two. Apart from the nationalism and patriotic stand that has been taken up to curb this Karan Johar directorial from releasing, there are several conspiracy stories floating around. Of late, even the single screens association decided to ban the film in four states — Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka. And MNS, yet again, issued an open threat to multiplexes against the screening of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
While all this is happening, let’s go back to where the entire controversy initially started from. The two big films of the year — Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shivaay, are clashing on the Diwali weekend. The buzz around their Box Office clash was already high when actor and director Ajay Devgn released an audio alleging that popular critic and actor Kamaal R Khan, known as KRK, had taken a bribe from Karan Johar to promote ADHM and give negative reviews to Shivaay.
While Karan remained mum on it, KRK denied all the allegations. And then post the unfortunate Uri attack that happened on 18 September, where 18 of Indian soldiers were martyred, protests on banning films featuring Pakistani artistes started. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, was targeted. MNS demanded that either Johar should replace Fawad in his film or they will not let it release.
It’s been more than a month since the entire controversy rooted up, but the issue is becoming more graver with each passing day. InUth talked to KRK over the phone from Delhi and tried to join the dots. The critic who’s famous for his bold statements on issues bluntly claimed the following things:
- There are BJP associated people behind the ban of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
- He never took any bribe from anybody to promote any film
- PM Narendra Modi should soon release a statement on the issue
- Nobody can stop Ae Dil Hai Mushkil from releasing in the country
- He will review both Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shivaay
