Ae Dil Hai Mushkil row: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis assures smooth release of Karan Johar directorial

New Delhi: Amidst the boiling controversy surrounding the release of Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today assured the filmmaker that the state government will ensure smooth release of his directorial project. 

The film is currently facing massive protest from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for featuring a Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in it. However, Maharashtra CM assured Johar, who called on him today, saying, "The state government would like to reaffirm that the government will not allow anyone to disturb law and order and stern action will be taken. Democratic protest is fine but unlawful activity will not be tolerated."

Police had yesterday taken strict action against MNS workers for protesting and raising slogans outside Metro Cinema in South Mumbai.

12 activists of MNS who had gone to Metro theatre to threaten them were arrested and sent in judicial custody till November 4.

Meanwhile, continuing with their agitation, MNS shifted the scene to Maharashtra's Nagpur city where some party workers this afternoon demonstrated in front of a cinema hall at the main business locality in Sitabuldi against the release of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil".

They later submitted a memorandum to the manager of the cinema hall not to screen the film.

The workers from MNS' film unit Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena had yesterday protested and raised slogans outside Metro Cinema in South Mumbai.

The Raj Thackeray-led party asked the theatre management not to hold any show of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

Seeking to calm tempers over opposition to the release of his directorial venture, Johar had earlier made a fervent appeal against stalling the release, saying he will not engage with talent from Pakistan in future.

However, the MNS yesterday said reality has dawned late on Johar. MNS cine wing head Amey Khopkar, after a meeting with senior party leaders and Raj Thackeray yesterday, said they were firm on opposing the film's release.

The MNS and some other political parties have opposed the release of films with actors from Pakistan after the Uri terror attack, putting a question mark on the fate of Johar's movie, slated for release on October 28.

The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles. 

(With PTI inputs)