Certain Indian newspapers have made the claim that due to escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, Mahira Khan has been replaced in what is to be, her upcoming Bollywood debut in 'Raees'. The stories reported below have been picked up by Indian media one of which has quoted an unidentified source stating that Mahira Khan has been replaced from the movie, which was reportedly in its final stages of production.
The other story however, states the improbability of Mahira Khan being replaced quoting a tweet by the director himself who indicated that the movie was already in its final stages of production.
MUMBAI: In the escalating tension between India and Pakistan, the stunning actress Mahira Khan has been replaced in Shahrukh Khan-starrer Bollywood movie Raees, Indian media said on Monday.
The action was taken after a ban on Pakistani actors in India was called on by many extremist parties while Pakistani cinemas also decided to stop screening of Bollywood films nationwide.
The hunt for new actress to play Mahira’s role opposite Shahrukh Khan is on as the producers need to find her in two weeks.
“It was a very painful decision for producer Ritesh Sidhwani to take. The pressure to replace her had been building up for months. It reached a crescendo after the Uri attacks. It came to a point where it became impossible to shoot with any Pakistani. People suggested all kinds of solutions to the impasse, including shooting in Dubai. But it didn’t seem viable. Now, Mahira has unfortunately been relieved of her duties,” DNA quoted a source as saying.
However, no official confirmation came from the producers or even Shahrukh Khan.
The heart-throbbing Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s scenes were also omitted from Sushant Singh Rajput’s ‘M.S.Dhoni: The Untold Story’ in order to avoid controversies.
It was also learnt that Saif Ali Khan is likely to play the role of Fawad Khan in Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
Earlier, Mahira Khan took to her Facebook fan page and urged the people to only stand for peace and love.
She said that she is not a supporter of war and only wishes a life where her child can live without being victimized of terrorism.
Indian Express reported the development:
MUMBAI: The escalating tension between India and Pakistan and MNS call for ban on Pakistani artistes has been making news every day. After MNS said they will block the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Fawad Khan and Raees starring Mahira Khan, there were speculations regarding how the filmmakers will cope.
On Sunday evening, a DNA report claimed that Maheera Khan has been dropped from Shah Rukh Khan’s film. Quoting an unnamed source, the report said, “It was a very painful decision for producer Ritesh Sidhwani to take. The pressure to replace her had been building up for months. It reached a crescendo after the Uri attacks. It came to a point where it became impossible to shoot with any Pakistani artiste. People suggested all kinds of solutions to the impasse, including shooting in Dubai. But it didn’t seem viable. Now, Mahira has unfortunately been relieved of her duties.”
While no official confirmation came from the producers or SRK, the film’s director Rahul Dholakia tweeted late in the night, “Cooker ki saat seeti Baj chuki hai, aag dena bandh kar” (not a line from Raees, I has better dialogues). He didn’t name anyone in the tweet.
This is not the first speculation about a Pakistani artiste being dropped from a film. After MS Dhoni: The Untold Story came out, a website reported that the makers had dropped Fawad Khan who played the role of Virat Kohli in the film. However, film’s producer Fox Star denied the news and said Fawad was never a part of the film.
Shaha Rukh Khan’s Raees is supposed to release on January 26 when it will clash with Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kaabil.
