The Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Monday issued stern warnings to a television channel for its show Bigg Boss 4, as it features two Pakistani artistes. The Sena has called it an act of sabotage against the entire nation.
The fourth season of Bigg Boss, which will be hosted by actor Salman Khan, features Veena Malik, a Pakistani actress and ex-girlfriend of Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif. The other Pakistani on the show is Beghum Nawazish Ali, a cross-dresser and chat show host on a Pakistani channel.
“The channel should now call Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab on their reality show. This is the height of shamelessness. The channel has sabotaged the sentiments of Indians by casting Pakistani actors,” said Sanjay Raut, Sena spokesperson.
He added the party had taken serious note of the channel’s actions. “We will see how this channel goes ahead with the programme,” he said, issuing a clear threat that the party will try and stop the show if needed.
The MNS has also come out in protest against the television channel. Party chief Raj Thackeray criticised the channel, saying that such shows should be stopped immediately.
“Pakistani media channels have boycotted Indian actors and performers. Have you ever seen people like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosale on any of the reality TV shows in Pakistan? Then why does this channel want to cast actors from Pakistan?” he said.
The party had protested against a number of television shows for casting artistes from Pakistan. Some channels had removed the actors from their shows after the party’s protest.
Interestingly, the show’s host Salman Khan was under fire from the Sena a few weeks back after his statement on the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai.
At that time, MNS chief Raj Thackeray had backed Khan, saying there was nothing wrong in his comments. The show kicked off on Sunday, with Khan unveiling the 14 contestants.
