Mahira Khan in Shah Rukh Khan's ‘Raees’ controversy: Producer Ritesh Sidhwani breaks his silence

Mumbai: The makers of Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees have refrained from commenting on the speculations suggesting that Pakistani actress Mahira Khan will be replaced by an Indian in the film. However, producer Ritesh Sidhwani has something to say.

Ritesh, who was in the capital for his wife’s debut show at a fashion week, spoke limited words to end all speculations without actually commenting on anything directly.

According to a report in TOI, Sidhwani said, “I do not understand where all this is coming from. I would only say one thing - I have shot with the girl for 45 days and finished the film, I hope that clarifies things. I was not reacting to such reports or commenting because I feel that when someone speculates something and you go and respond to it, you are providing a platform to such speculations and rumours. I feel it is better to ignore such things. I don't want to talk about 'Raees', I am here to cheer for my wife.”

Soon after the Uri terror attack that killed 19 Indian soldiers, the Indian Motions Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) had urged its members to not hire Pakistani actors or technicians in their films until tensions between the two countries die down.

Following IMPPA’s verdict to ban Pakistani artists from working in India, Bollywood stood divided on the issue, with one section supporting the ban and the other opposing it.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by Raj Thackeray, a few days back, threatened to disrupt screening of the films that feature Pakistani artists.