'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' release CONTROVERSY

"Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", a Bollywood film which is caught in controversy for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, will release in theatres on October 28 -- as scheduled -- Dharma Productions and Fox Star Studios said on Friday. It has got a U/A certificate from the censor board, the makers said.

The Diwali entertainer, directed and produced by Karan Johar under his home banner Dharma Productions, stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan apart from Fawad.

In the midst of news that the Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) has decided not to release movies featuring Pakistani actors in single screen theatres in Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat, producers of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" have said their film is "all about spreading love".

Apoorva Mehta, CEO, Dharma Productions, said in a statement: "'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' has been cleared by the censor board and we are gearing up for its release on October 28. Diwali is all about love and 'Ae Dil...' is all about spreading love."

Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios, said: "Karan Johar's films present love in its most purest yet unique and modern way and this Diwali, he is celebrating love, friendship and heartbreak.

"We are set for the film's release on October 28. There can be no better way than celebrating Diwali with 'Ae Dil...', a quintessential family entertainer."

Diwali will be celebrated on October 30 this year, and the pre-Diwali Friday will see a clash of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" with "Shivaay".