There seems to be no end to the troubles faced by Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees, which will hit the theatres on January 25. After facing threats of being sued for defamation and inviting ire of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, an old video of the film’s female lead Mahira Khan is likely to stoke fresh controversy.
A 2011 video of Pakistani actor Mahira Khan has surfaced wherein she has taken a dig at India and Bollywood. “You should not be inspired by India at all. We are not Bollywood,” she is heard saying in the video.
Views of our patriotic Raees’s Pakistani co-actress Mahira Khan about India and Bollywood.
Plz sell your self-esteem before watching Raees. pic.twitter.com/OFozL8iEY8
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) December 29, 2016
However, such kind of criticism is unwarranted. After all, it’s a comedy show and Mahira is showing love for her country. Now, you are upset with the fact that she has spoken ill about India and Bollywood. Don’t our comedy shows poke fun at our neighbours and sometimes go on an offensive rant.
Recently, Raees ran into trouble with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray objecting to Mahira Khan’s presence in the film. Shah Rukh met Thackeray and it was decided that she will not be a part of the film’s promotions. It was the second time in this year when MNS chief had his say on this issue, after the controversy surrounding Ranbir Kapoor starrer Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
Raees also ran into trouble after yesteryear don Abdul Latif’s son Mushtaq Sheikh claimed the film was his father’s biopic. He alleged that the protagonist has been portrayed in a poor light, as his father never ran brothels and used women for smuggling liquor. He threatened to file a Rs 100 crore defamation suit in the Bombay High Court if the film is released.
