Date:17/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/17/stories/2005071705620800.htm

National

BJP tones down stand against Salman Khan

MUMBAI: On a plea made by the film fraternity, the BJP on Saturday toned down its agitation against actor Salman Khan with its leader Gopinath Munde appealing to party men not to disrupt the screening of his film `Maine Pyar Kyon Kiya' in Maharashtra to protest against the actor's alleged underworld links.

The decision was taken by Mr. Munde after a 30-member delegation of the film industry, headed by Pahlaj Nihalani, president of the Motion Pictures and Television Producers Association, prevailed upon him to restrain party workers from protesting at theatres screening the movie which was released on Friday.

The delegation that included David Dhawan and actress Sushmita Sen told Mr. Munde that Salman alone was not associated with the film and there were several other artists who had contributed to it and hence the film should be spared.

They told Mr. Munde that BJP activists had allegedly torn posters outside theatres and destroyed prints at some places. — PTI