Pakistan boycotts MS Dhoni’s biopic after MNS’ threat to artistes

In the wake of the growing discord between the neighboring countries following the Uri attack, Pakistan has boycotted the release of Sushant Singh Rajput-starrer MS Dhoni: The Untold Story in the country.

Reportedly, the boycott is a direct consequence of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) demand for banning Pakistani artistes from working here and threatening them to leave the country.

On Tuesday, a Pakistani media source also said that actor Fawad Khan, who will appear in Karan Johar’s ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ next, left for Pakistan to avoid any untoward incident.

According to a report in a leading tabloid, Pakistani distributors have decided to not bring MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, the biopic on India’s limited overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, to their country.

The tabloid quoted a source from the exhibition industry in Pakistan saying, “The film does not feature in the programming list since no distributor wants to bring it here.”

IMGC Global Entertainment, a Pakistan-based distribution company, was set to release the biopic in Pakistan. However, given the delicate situation between the neighboring nations, they company has decided against it.

The Chairman of IMGC Global Entertainment Ahmed Rashid was quoted by the tabloid saying, “Amid current tension between the two countries, we have decided not to release the film here. This development will affect the business.”

On September 23, lawyer Azhar Saddique also filed a petition in Lahore High Court calling for a ban on all Indian films till the Kashmir issue is resolved, citing that showcasing Indian films in theaters will hurt sentiments of the people in Pakistan and Kashmir.

Helmed by Neeraj Pandey, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, is slated for release this Friday, September 30. It will release in 4,500 screen across 60 countries.