Sambhaji Brigade vandalises theatre in Kalyan running Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

Though Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis prevented the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena from protesting against Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, incidentally, not all seem happy with the settlement or with calling off the agitation. On Thursday afternoon, members of the Sambhaji Brigade vandalised a theatre in Kalyan in protest against the film, Hindustan Times reported on Thursday. According to the report, members of the organisation “pelted stones” and “broke the booking counter” at a multiplex theatre at Sarvoday Mall in Kalyan (west). “The incident occurred around 3 in afternoon and the members fled from the site after vandalising the property. The mall authorities have shut down the multiplex,” the report said. The film, which featured Pakistani actor Fawad Khan had been at the receiving end ever since terrorists attacked an army base in Uri on 18 September. Various political organisations and theatre associations have called a complete ban on all films featuring Pakistani actors. The agitation, led by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, however, was called off after a settlement between the MNS’ Raj Thackeray, Karan Johar and Producers’ Guild after Johar agreed to add a slide in the film paying tribute to the soldiers who died in the Uri Attack, and donate Rs 5 crore towards Army welfare. The Producers Guild, it was reported, had also given a written statement that they won’t hire any Pakistani actors or technicians in the future. According to reports, the film has joined the Rs 100 crore club with a worldwide business of Rs 121.21 crorein just four days since its release. According to the report, an official from Mahatma Phule Police told the newspaper that they have registered complaints against the accused. “Security was beefed up at the mall till Tuesday for peaceful screening of the film, however, it was lifted only today and the incident took place. We will book the accused in due course of time,” the official said. Sambhaji Brigade describes itself as a community of the “Bahujan people” and idolises Chhatarapati Sambhaji Raje, Jagadguru Tukobaaray and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar among others.