Congress backs Kashyap, asks Modi to apologise to nation

Kashyap questioned PM as to why he hasn't apologised for meeting Sharif the same time when Karan Johar was shooting for 'ADHM'

The Congress used filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch a scathing attack on the latter and said that he must tender an apology to the nation for his 'surprise' Pakistan visit.

"Bollywood film director Anurag Kashyap very correctly mentioned it and this thing that was really surprising to all the citizens of the country. How a Prime Minister can drop in Pakistan by breaking out protocols or system for attending the birthday celebrations," Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharya said.

The filmmaker had on Sunday came out in support of Karan Johar, whose upcoming directorial venture 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' featuring Fawad Khan is facing trouble after cinema owners association decided to stall the release of movies starring Pakistani artistes.

In a series of tweets, he questioned Prime Minister Modi as to why he hasn't apologised for meeting his Pakistani counterpart the same time when Karan Johar was shooting for 'ADHM'.

He tweeted, "Sir you haven't yet said sorry for your trip to meet the Pakistani PM.. It was December 25. Same time Karan Johar was shooting ADHM? Why?

"The world must learn from us.. We solve all our problems by blaming it on movies and banning it.. #ADHM . With you on this Karan Johar," Kashyap tweeted.

After posting an array of tweets questioning the Prime Ministre, Kashyap did some damage control by saying, "I am just trying to understand the situation because I am actually dumb and I don't get it. Sorry if you feel offended."

The Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) on Sunday announced that they would not screen movies starring Pakistani artistes in the four states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa.

This has put an uncertainty on the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' as it features Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan. The movie stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in lead roles.

The decision taken by COEAI mainly covers single screen theatres and comes amid tension between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of Uri attack in September.