Jolt to Ae Dil Hai Mushkil as cine owners decide not to release movies featuring Pakistani artistes

Mumbai’s Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association, which own around 400-500 screens in the city, has decided not to screen any movie featuring Pakistani artistes. Association chairman Nitin Dhar has said that no movie featuring Pakistani actors and actresses will be released in theatres. The decision gives a direct jolt to Karan Johar directed Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which is scheduled to release on Diwali, and features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. The association has said that such movies will not be released until the situation between India and Pakistan normalises. Meanwhile, Censor Board chairman Pahlaj Nihalani has criticised the decision. “The decision to ban movies already passed by censor board makes no sense, no one has the right to stop these movies from getting released,” Nihlani said. He added that banning these movies will hurt the industry. However, he said that country’s sentiment are against these movies, so it should be ensured that no movies featuring Pakistani artistes should be made in future. “These movies were made before the tensions escalated between India and Pakistan, these should be allowed to release,” Nihalani said.