bollywood

Updated: Oct 21, 2015 09:00 IST

After preventing famous singer Ghulam Ali from performing in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena has now ‘banned’ Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan from Maharashtra. The party has vowed not to let the actors -- who are both acting in big-ticket Bollywood projects -- promote their upcoming films in Maharashtra.

Fawad, who made his Bollywood debut with the 2014 film Khoobsurat, has more Hindi films in his kitty including Dharma Productions’ Kapoor and Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

On the other hand, Mahira is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Rahul Dholakia’s Raees, in which she stars alongside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

“We have taken a stand not to allow any Pakistani actor, cricketer or performer to step on Maharashtra soil,” said Chitrapat Sena general secretary Akshay Bardapurkar. Talking about their plans, he added, “Shiv Sena won’t let the Pakistani actors in the films -- Mahira Khan (Raees) and Fawad Khan (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil) -- promote the films in Maharashtra,” Bardapurkar said.

Pakistani actor Mahira Khan. (Twitter)

Shiv Sena had prevented legendary Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali from performing here earlier this month. “We are not really bothered about who is signing these Pakistanis in their film. Karan Johar, Farhan Akhtar, Shah Rukh Khan etc. are responsible citizens and they should not cast Pakistanis in their film,” Bardapurkar added.

Read: When Shiv Sena singes cricket, all lose

Cricket has also been similarly hit by Shiv Sena’s threats. Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar and former cricketers Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar had to return to Pakistan after 70 Shiv Sena activists stormed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office in Mumbai on Monday. They protested in front of BCCI president Shashank Manohar, asking him not to resume cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.

Fawad Khan has a number of Bollywood projects in his hand.

Raees, which also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is slated for an Eid release in 2016. Meanwhile, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, directed by Karan Johar, also stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The film is expected to release on Diwali next year.

Read: Farhan Akhtar to replace Fawad Khan in Battle for Bittora?