State must act on SRK issue: Benegal

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal on Thursday said the government in Maharashtra must step in on the matter of a Shiv Sena threat to stop release of actor Shahrukh Khan’s new movie My Name is Khan in Mumbai.

Shahrukh Khan has refused to apologise to Shiv Sena for his comments in support of Pakistani players' induction in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Benegal reacted sharply to the question of a Bollywood disunity on the issue when quizzed by a TV channel, saying: “United to do what? Form a vigilante group? What are you talking about?”

“The state must step into this immediately. The state has enough power,” he said.

“Why is the state not doing anything,” he asked.

While Shiv Sena has vowed to prevent the release of My Name is Khan in Mumbai on the scheduled release date on Feb 12, the King Khan said he did apologise to his business partners because he felt his comments will have an adverse effect on the business of the film.

The Maharashtra government has said it would take action against Sena if they tried to stop screening of the film.

No subject good enough for Shah Rukh: Benegal

He is full of admiration for Shah Rukh Khan and his on-screen charisma, but veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal rues that he doesn't have a subject to cast the superstar.

"Shah Rukh is a truly brilliant actor. When he comes on the screen, you hardly look anywhere else but at him - he is that kind of an actor," Benegal said.

Asked if he would like to cast the King Khan in any of his films, a disappointed Benegal said, "How can I cast him? I don't have a subject that might even interest him."