Film industry takes on MNS for 'extortion' bid

MUMBAI: The film industry, seen virtually on its knees after an apology over Wake Up Sid's references to 'Bombay', is probably standing up after the My Name Is Khan face-off. This time it has locked horns with the MNS, which had compelled Karan Johar to toe its line on the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer.

On Sunday, producer Ritesh Sidhwani's unit filed an FIR against some members of the MNS for allegedly extorting money from them during the shooting of the film 'Crooked'.

About 11 MNS workers landed up on the sets of the Abhishek Bachchan-starrer at Mehboob Studios and demanded Rs 25 lakh.

They alleged that the producer had hired outsiders for the film's shoot and said he would be fined. Bhutani said, "They told us that we would have to pay up if I wanted to continue the shooting. They started negotiating with us for the amount. But once I called my producer, he informed the film producers' body, which in turn, informed the state government."

But Ameya Khoppkar, head of the MNS film cell, said, "We have a valid licence to work in the film industry from the labour commissioner and nobody can stop us from conducting such raids. The producer had hired 136 foreigners and my men only asked for their work permit. Besides, I don't need to be affiliated to any association. All I want is that our people should get work in the film industry."