Cast Maria in film and face Shiv Sena, MNS wrath

Mumbai: The cine-wings of Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have warned the filmmakers and TV channels against casting Maria Susairaj, a convict in the 2008 Neeraj Grover murder case. Ram Gopal Varma, who has made a film ‘Not A Love Story’ on the gruesome incident, had said that he was interested in casting Maria for a role in his next film. Stories of Maria to be a part of the next season of Bigg Boss also made rounds, even though Colors channel, which airs the reality show, dismissed these speculation yesterday. On Varma’s offer, Shiv Sena-promoted Bharatiya Chitrapat Sena’s (BCS) president Abhijit Panse said, “Varma is a big director. But since his films are not doing well at the box-office he is doing such publicity stunts.” [caption id=“attachment_36196” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Maria, who was sentenced for three years, walked out free on Thursday as she had already served the term. PTI”]  [/caption] Panse also warned of carrying out “Shiv Sena style” protests, if any filmmaker casts Maria in a film. On the likelihood of Maria’s inclusion in Bigg Boss, Panse said, “There is a trend coming up in television reality shows to cast a person with a criminal background— like Bunty Chor, who was cast in season 4 of Bigg Boss.” Maharashtra Navnirman Cine Workers’ Association also opposed casting of Maria in Bigg Boss. President of MNCWA Amey Khopkar said, “Maria has a criminal background and therefore we don’t want to see her in films or television shows. Any filmmaker or production house that intents to offer her a role or show, should be prepared to face our wrath.” On Thursday, former Navy officer Emile Jerome was awarded  imprisonment of 10 years in the murder case while his girlfriend Maria, who was sentenced for three years, walked  out free as she had already served the term. PTI