Bhosle on MNS threat: I understand only music not politics

Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, who has been requested by Raj Thackeray-led MNS not to participate in a musical reality show featuring Pakistani artistes, today sought to play down the issue, saying she understands the language of music and has nothing to do with politics.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has requested Bhosle not to judge the show 'Sur Kshetra', to be aired on Colors TV, where Pakistani singers are taking part.

The film wing of MNS has asked the private channel not to air the programme and threatened to disrupt the shoot if its diktat is not complied with.

"I don't like politics...I don't understand it. I love Raj Thackeray irrespective of what he thinks of me. I love Maharashtra and I am a Maharashtrian," Bhosle said.

"I am a singer....I understand the language of music and I love Raj and I know he likes my songs," she said at a press conference organised in connection with the show at a five-star hotel in the suburbs this evening.

Bhosle broke into Marathi in the middle of the conference. "I am a Maharashtrian. I believe in the motto of 'athithi devo bhav' (guest is god). Without naming anyone all I would say - is Jai Maharashtra," she said.

A police van and over a dozen security personnel from the hotel were stationed outside the conference venue.

Asked to comment on the MNS threat, Raj Nayak, CEO of Colors, said, "I have not received any threats. I request you all to ask questions relating to the show. Will talk about this (threat issue) later."

"We will not allow any shoot of Colors if they go ahead, and ban products of the programme sponsors," Amey Khopkar, head the Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena, told PTI earlier in the day.

Khopkar said he has written a letter to Bhosle asking her to not to take part in the programme. "We have also asked Colors not to invite Pakistani singers and warned the channel of consequences if it airs the programme with these guest artistes."