Cops scuttled SRK plan to meet Bal Thackeray

Actor Shah Rukh Khan wanted to meet Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray to bring down the curtains on the controversy over his film My Name Is Khan.

But the Mumbai Police, a source said, advised Khan against taking the step. Reason: The ruling Congress-NCP combine wants to show that they are capable of fighting the Sena, which no longer is a force to reckon with.

Soon after he arrived in Mumbai from London on Saturday, Khan said he would meet Thackeray to resolve the matter. “I think there was some misunderstanding over my statement (on Pakistani players in the IPL),” he told reporters at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. “If needed, I will meet Balasaheb and explain my side of the story.”

A police officer advised Khan against meeting Thackeray. A Congress minister confirmed it. “We did stop Khan from visiting Balasaheb,” he said. “He told us he had a good rapport with Balasaheb and that he would be able to convince him to ask the Shiv Sena to withdraw their protests against him and his film.”
Arif Naseem Khan, the guardian minister for Mumbai suburbs, however said he did not know of any such thing.

Manohar Joshi, senior Sena leader, said the party had not given up its plan of opposing Khan’s film. “We will not allow the movie to be released,” he said. “He should first come and apologise to Balasaheb. Only then can we have talks.”

Though policemen were posted near cinemas, Sainiks on Tuesday went on the rampage tearing posters of the film. The police recorded a few instances of stone pelting as well. Ashok Chavan, chief minister, announced on Monday that multiplexes screening the film would be provided with adequate security. “After Sena’s flop show during Rahul Gandhi’s visit, the government does not want the saffron party to get an upper hand,” a Congress leader said.

In the evening, Khan left the city for an undisclosed location.