This is an archive article published on September 24, 2016
MNS, will throwing Fawad Khan and others out of Bollywood end terror?
If Fawad Khan leaves his projects in the middle neither will it hurt Pakistan nor the terror masterminds who are anyway against any kind of entertainment.
If Fawad Khan leaves his projects in the middle, it will not hurt Pakistan or its political bosses.
Someone in Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is a big fan of Abhijeet Bhattacharya. Two days after the singer – in his usual take-no-prisoners, spout-out-as-much-hate-as-you-can style – asked Karan Johar, the Khans, the government, MNS… or whoever was listening to drive out Pakistani actors from India, he had his wish fulfilled.
On Friday, MNS’ Chitrapat Sena issued a “direct threat” – all the Pakistani actors should leave India within 48 hours. And while they were at it, they said they will not allow any Bollywood films to release which have Pakistani faces in it. The ‘direct threat’ was against two specific films – Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees.
Both Abhijeet and MNS have history. If Abhijeet and his trolling have shown him the insides of a police station – obviously in vain, MNS has attacked the very same people before. In 2008, Karan Johar’s Wake Up Sid (also starring Ranbir Kapoor, déjà vu anybody?) was targeted by MNS for calling Mumbai, Bombay. Before MNS could vandalise theatres screening Wake Up Sid, Mumbai was beeped out from the film.
Karan may have thought that was it. But that’s the thing about giving in to bullies, they acquire a taste for it. In 2010, the MNS hooligans were back and the same fate awaited Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan. The issue at stake was Shah Rukh’s Kolkata Knight Riders having Pakistani players in its ranks. Bollywood didn’t bow and MNS did its thing, but the film still released.
Ghulam Ali was not so lucky. The Pakistani ghazal maestro’s concerts were cancelled in Mumbai and Pune in 2015 after more such “direct threats” from MNS and Shiv Sena. What MNS loses out in terms of its presence in legislature and Parliament, it makes up by its sheer nuisance value.
Its diktats would keep on coming; the question is how long Bollywood – the perfect soft target – would be expected to follow them?
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After the Uri attack, the emotions are all roiled up and India’s pacifist stand is under attack. But MNS’ stand is more of a political posturing than anything else. Bollywood and cricket is a high-return investment – attack it and you will get media coverage in not just India but across globe. Add in Pakistan bashing and it stops being pure news too, it is about patriotism and emotions. Who will dare question that?
Throw their artistes out, play no more cricket – the same circle has been repeated so many times that even a novice troll such as Abhijeet knows all the steps. And MNS? They, along with their elder sibling Shiv Sena, invented this dance.
Not that MNS or Shiv Sena believe that this message can stop terror attacks in India. If Fawad Khan leaves his projects in the middle, it will not hurt Pakistan or its political bosses. It will definitely not hurt the terror masterminds or their hardened acolytes who are anyway against dance, music and entertainment of any kind. The only ones who will get hurt are people in Bollywood, from the producers to the artists and technicians working on the project.
As police promises security “as and when required,” Pakistani artistes and Indian filmmakers are in the mood to weather it out. And we would say — more power to them. Because MNS, think about the cost of your political posturing?
Jyoti Sharma Bawa is a distinguished journalist and the current Online Entertainment Editor at The Indian Express. With a career spanning over 20 years, she is a veteran voice in Indian media, specializing in the intersections of cinema, lifestyle, and global pop culture.
Experience & Career
Throughout her two-decade professional trajectory, Bawa has held pivotal editorial roles at some of India’s most influential news organizations. Before leading the digital entertainment vertical at The Indian Express, she served in senior capacities at The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and The Statesman.
Her career also includes a significant international stint in Bahrain, where she served as the Senior Assistant Editor for the country’s premier lifestyle magazine, Bahrain This Month. This global exposure, combined with her experience at Sakaal, has shaped her perspective on both regional and international entertainment trends. Today, she leads a seasoned team of reporters and critics, documenting the significant shifts in the entertainment sector for a digital-first audience.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Bawa’s reportage is characterized by a "beyond-the-surface" approach that balances breaking news with incisive cultural commentary. Her primary areas of focus include:
Pan-Indian Cinema: Comprehensive coverage of Bollywood and key regional industries, including Tollywood, Kollywood, and Mollywood.
Hollywood & Global Trends: Tracking international developments and the rapid evolution of the global OTT and streaming landscape.
De-jargonizing the Industry: Breaking down complex industry shifts—from the economics of box office records to the nuances of digital content ecosystems.
Lifestyle & Health: Leveraging her extensive background to cover the broader lifestyle beats that intersect with the world of celebrity.
Authoritativeness & Trust
With over 2000 published articles and reviews, Bawa is recognized for her rigorous and objective analysis of Indian cinema. She has interviewed the industry’s most prominent figures across multiple generations—ranging from established icons like Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, and Prabhas to contemporary stars such as Kartik Aaryan. She hosts Indian Express' premier flagship show, SCREEN Live. Her ability to secure exclusive insights and her sharp, educated critiques have established her as a trusted authority for readers seeking depth in an often superficial beat. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English from the Delhi University. She holds a PG Diploma in English Journalism from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. ... Read More
If Fawad Khan leaves his projects in the middle, it will not hurt Pakistan or its political bosses.
