Why slam SRK and spare Big B? Raj asks Shiv Sena

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena’s protest against actor Shah Rukh Khan’s new movie My Name is Khan is just “noise”, says Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray.

This is for the first time Raj, estranged nephew of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray, has spoken about his rival party’s protests against the movie. “Such a noise is made over Shah Rukh Khan for this one statement of his. But no one is saying anything about Amitabh Bachchan singing poetry with Pakistanis for a newspaper,” said Raj at a press conference in Mumbai.

"They are demanding an apology from Khan for his remarks on Pakistani players. But Bachchan was seen a couple of days ago sharing the dais with Pakistani artistes and reciting poems. If Khan has to apologise, then why not Bachchan."

“Why is so much controversy/noise being made of this whole thing,” he said

Shiv Sena workers tore up the film's posters on Wednesday, continuing their protest against Khan for backing the participation of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League. Raj said it was a “mystery” why Khan had not selected Pakistani cricketers for his Kolkata Knightriders team.

“Why Shah Rukh Khan spoke (for Pakistani cricketers), was it for film's publicity? I don’t know, but if he did have sympathy for Pakistan or its players why didn’t he take players during auction it’s a mystery!” he said.

The cast and crew of "My Name is Khan" are attending its premiere in Abu Dhabi and later head to Europe for a screening at the Berlin film festival.

"I hope better sense prevails in Mumbai. We have worked really hard on the movie and we just want people to watch the movie," Khan said at a press conference in Abu Dhabi.

"In Berlin. From the Grand Hotel and premiere in Abu Dhabi....sand to snow...the journey has begun...for Khan. Hope it ends well and peacefully. Ironic and sad...a film made for world peace has led to so much angst in my own house, my city, my country. Let not anyone be hurt is all I pray," Khan posted on his Twitter page.

"Do I say things which are wrong? My wife tells me so. Do I not make myself clear? Some friends feel so. Am I political or politically incorrect?" he said.