Shah Rukh Khan's Pakistani co-star won't promote 'Raees' in India

Once bitten, twice shy.

Bollywood is arguably the worst hit when bilateral relations between India and Pakistan turn sour. But Shah Rukh Khan, whose upcoming film 'Raees' features Pakistani actor Mahira Khan, has made sure that his 2017 production will not meet with the same fate as his friend Karan Johar’s 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' (ADHM) did in October.

Khan met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray at his residence in Mumbai late Sunday to assure him that the leading lady would not be in India for the film’s promotions. He also went on to say that he would not be working with Pakistani actors in future. Khan was accompanied by the film’s co-producer Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment.

MNS's cinema workers' unit Chief Amey Khopkar told Hindustan Times, “ Khan has promised that he will not get Mahira Khan to promote 'Raees'. There will be no interference from our end.”

This precautionary move by Khan, whose Red Chilies Entertainment has co-produced Raees, comes on the back of controversies surrounding the presence of Pakistani actors in Indian films. The situation had turned violent during the Diwali release of Johar’s 'ADHM' featuring Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan.

MNS, which thrives on its nationalistic affiliations, had threatened to stall the film’s release. And producer-director Johar had to shell out Rs 50 million ($741,000) in order to pacify protesters. The move didn’t go down well with many in the industry which felt that the otherwise influential filmmaker he had given in to “political extortion”.

But Shah Rukh Khan believes in being safe than sorry. Thus, he has reached out to Thackeray well in advance of the film’s Jan. 25 release.

Meanwhile, fans are clearly disappointed.

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