MNS threatens to derail 'Chennai Express'

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Wednesday threatened to disrupt the release of the Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer 'Chennai Express'.

The party's film unit is upset over reports that the Rohit Shetty-directed movie has demanded prime slots in single cinemas across the state at the expense of some Marathi movies that are being screened.

"If the producers of 'Chennai Express' attempt to dislodge any of the ongoing or forthcoming Marathi movies, we shall not tolerate it and deal with it in MNS style," warned Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena (film wing) chief Amey Khopkar.

He specifically referred to the hit Marathi movie 'Duniyadari', running to full houses since July 19 in single screen cinemas in non-metro cities and small towns.

Khopkar said his party had written to owners of all single cinema halls and other cinemas seeking a commitment they would not take out 'Duniyadari' from their screens to accommodate 'Chennai Express'.

"If the 'Chennai Express' producers attempt to do this, we shall not let the movie be exhibited in cinemas of the state. We shall also remove their publicity posters from Thursday," Khopkar declared.

Based on the best-selling novel of the same title by the late Suhas Shirvalkar, 'Duniyadari' has been a major commercial success with critical acclaim.

With Swapnil Joshi and Urmila Kanitkar in the lead roles, it shows the journey of a modern affluent youngster's life.