In an interview with mid-day, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defends the compromise he brokered between Film Producers Guild and MNS, blaming Raj Thackeray for the 'settlement' sum
ADVERTISEMENT
Pontius Pilate, meet Devendra Fadnavis. The chief minister, who had been hauled over the coals ever since he mediated a ‘truce’ between the aggrieved Film and Television Producers Guild and MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the release of Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM), has washed his hands of the ensuing controversy over the R5-crore donation to the Army Welfare Fund — just like the biblical chieftain Pilate — laying all of the blame at Thackeray’s door.
In an exclusive chat with mid-day, he clarified that it was Thackeray who had come up with the figure of R5 crore when the Guild offered to pass a resolution on contributions to the army welfare fund for future projects involving Pakistani artistes.
Distancing himself from the controversial deal that some, including the Opposition and BJP’s ally Shiv Sena, have likened to extortion, Fadnavis said he did not force anyone to donate any sum of money. Rather, he claimed, he specifically told the Guild that producers should not be compelled to cough up donations.
Carrot and stick
Yo-yoing between a hard line and a defensive stance, the CM said his government isn’t scared of any party that threatens violence on the streets or warns the Hindi film industry against releasing movies featuring Pakistani artists. “I have a soft corner, not for any political party or its leadership, but for the people of the state. What I did was in tune with the values of democracy, in which we use dialogue to resolve issues,” he said, in defence of the much heckled compromise.
The CM said the state machinery is prepared to tackle all law and order situations, referring to the now withdrawn agitation called by the MNS. “The government is not scared of any party. I don’t have a soft corner for any political party or its leader, but I have a soft corner for the people of this state who want a peaceful life and festival.”
Producers asked for talks
Rubbishing allegations of having surrendered to the MNS’ hooliganism and using the Thackeray-led party to score a point over the Sena, Fadnavis said he had no political motive in brokering “an amicable solution”. “The Film Producers Guild approached me and asked for security to release a particular movie. The Guild was worried about its overall business during Diwali. The producers said the first week [post release] is crucial for any new film. I assured them security, but then the Guild also asked me to find an amicable solution. The Guild suggested that I have a discussion with the people demanding a ban on movies [starring Pakistani artistes]. This is how the said meeting happened in my presence,” the CM said.
Offering a glimpse of how the compromise was reached at, he said as the discussion progressed, the Guild said it wanted to pass a resolution that producers who hire Pakistani artistes make a contribution to the army welfare fund. “It was at this point of our deliberations that Raj Thackeray quoted a specific amount of R5 crore each. I did not specify any amount, but said that the contribution be voluntary and as per their (the producers’) individual capacity,” he said.
Devendra Fadnavis
My critics frustrated
On why he invited a party that has been issuing illegal diktats and threats for talks, he said discussion is the best form of democracy. “Resolving issues through discussions is what our democracy demands.”
He dubbed the people levelling allegations against him frustrated. “They are frustrated because they wanted this issue to be turned into a law and order situation. They did not want the subject (the stalled release of ADHM and the threat of violence) to die down so easily and quickly.”
To Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s accusation that the deal was scripted and the sum demanded from producers amounted to extortion, a Zen-like Fadnavis had just this to say: “Let them say what they say.”
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
