MNS 'clears' TV show judged by Asha Bhosle with Pak artistes

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After threatening to disrupt a TV reality show featuring Pakistani artistes, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday gave the 'green signal' for its telecast, but asserted his outfit would not allow such shows in future.

The party withdrew its threat after filmmaker Boney Kapoor and CEO of Colors TV channel met Thackeray at his Dadar residence on Thursday afternoon.

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had on August 30 issued a diktat to Colors TV channel, warning it to not broadcast the show on September 8.

It had also asked d Bhosle not to participate. Giving reasons for their action, Ameya Khopkar, President of Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena, the film wing of the MNS, had said, "They (Pakistanis) talk of art, but they forgot everything when they banned Ek Tha Tiger in their country. Our artistes are being discriminated against."

Thackeray had also ridiculed Bhosle, who would judge the show, for her decision to appear on 'Sur Kshetra' which would feature both Indian and Pakistani vocalists.

On Bhosle's remarks that Pakistani vocalists should be welcomed in the time-honoured Indian tradition of 'Atithee Devo Bhava (Guests are Gods)', Raj had quipped, "Is this 'Atithee Devo Bhava' or 'Paisa Devo Bhava'?", in a veiled reference to the fee she might have charged for the show.

MNS sources said the party was withdrawing its threat because the show had already been shot and a lot of money spent.

However, Raj Thackeray has asked the show producers to keep in mind public sentiments and made it clear that MNS would not allow such shows in future, they said.

The Indo-Pak musical extravaganza goes on air on September 8 on two entertainment channels - Colors and Sahara One.

Besides Bhosle, it features noted singers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, including Himesh Reshammiya, Abida Parveen, Atif Aslam and Runa Laila.

Eight Pakistani vocalists and as many Indian singers are participating in the show.