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Bharti Dubey, TNN, Jun 19, 2010, 03.40am IST
MUMBAI: A day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's film cell issued a letter to Sony Television warning it of dire consequences if it didn't remove Pakistani artiste Shakeel Siddiqui from its laughter show immediately, both the channel and the comedian seem to be defiant. Siddiqui is in Mumbai and will return to Pakistan only after completing shooting for the show. He did not shoot on Friday.
At the set, there was heavy police bandobast on Friday. "Anticipating disruption of shooting by MNS men, there was a large police deployment. The producers don't want to take any chances. So, Siddiqui did not shoot on Friday," said a source.
The MNS, however, is confident that the actor has been sent back to Pakistan."He has gone back to his country," said MNS Cine Workers' Association chief Ameya Khopkar.
It was hinted that the show's producer had taken MNS' "consent" before inviting Siddiqui. Khopkar vehemently denied this. "Nobody asked us. After 26/11, we will not allow Pakistani actors to work in India," he said. If Sony didn't follow the MNS diktat, it would not allow the channel to shoot in Mumbai.
Archana Puran Singh, a judge on Sony's laughter show, said, "This is a political issue with huge ramifications. But creative people should be kept out of it."
Danish Khan, marketing head of Sony, said, "We have not made any commitment to the MNS. We will meet the show's producer to discuss the issue. As yet, we haven't taken a call on Shakeel."
MNS stops Pak comedian from shooting - India - The Times of India
MUMBAI: A day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's film cell issued a letter to Sony Television warning it of dire consequences if it didn't remove Pakistani artiste Shakeel Siddiqui from its laughter show immediately, both the channel and the comedian seem to be defiant. Siddiqui is in Mumbai and will return to Pakistan only after completing shooting for the show. He did not shoot on Friday.
At the set, there was heavy police bandobast on Friday. "Anticipating disruption of shooting by MNS men, there was a large police deployment. The producers don't want to take any chances. So, Siddiqui did not shoot on Friday," said a source.
The MNS, however, is confident that the actor has been sent back to Pakistan."He has gone back to his country," said MNS Cine Workers' Association chief Ameya Khopkar.
It was hinted that the show's producer had taken MNS' "consent" before inviting Siddiqui. Khopkar vehemently denied this. "Nobody asked us. After 26/11, we will not allow Pakistani actors to work in India," he said. If Sony didn't follow the MNS diktat, it would not allow the channel to shoot in Mumbai.
Archana Puran Singh, a judge on Sony's laughter show, said, "This is a political issue with huge ramifications. But creative people should be kept out of it."
Danish Khan, marketing head of Sony, said, "We have not made any commitment to the MNS. We will meet the show's producer to discuss the issue. As yet, we haven't taken a call on Shakeel."
MNS stops Pak comedian from shooting - India - The Times of India
