Renuka Shahane, Subodh Bhave slam Kangana Ranaut for comparing Mumbai to Pak-occupied Kashmir

Actress-filmmaker Kangana Ranaut’s comments comparing Mumbai with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has created a storm on social media.

The controversy was sparked when the actress said in an interview that she feared the Mumbai police more than the ‘movie mafia’, her term for the groups that supposedly rule the film industry and conspire against 'outsiders' such as herself and the late Sushant Singh Rajput.

Ranaut also said that she would prefer to get protection from the Haryana police or an agency of the central government.

Reacting to this, Sanjay Raut, editor of the Shiv Sena newspaper Saamna, slammed Ranaut in an editorial and said she should not come to Mumbai if she is so scared. The Shiv Sena is the ruling party in the state of Maharashtra in alliance with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.

Following this, Ranaut tweeted, “Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader, has given me an open threat and asked me not to come back to Mumbai. After Aazadi graffiti in Mumbai streets and now open threats, why Mumbai is feeling like Pakistan-occupied Kashmir?”

Her comment has come in for widespread criticism from Twitter users, including Hindi and Marathi film stars.

Outspoken actress and filmmaker Renuka Shahane told Ranaut on Twitter, “Dear Kangana Ranaut, Mumbai is the city where your dream of becoming a Bollywood star has been fulfilled. One would expect you to have some respect for this wonderful city. It's appalling how you compared Mumbai with PoK!”

Marathi film star Subodh Bhave responded, “Sister, whatever politics you wish to play, do that in your village. Respect the city and the state where you found work and fame. We love Mumbai and we are proud of it.” 

Actor Riteish Deshmukh, son of the late Congress politician Vilas Deshmukh, a former chief minister of the state, wrote a short and indirect message to her, saying, “Mumbai is India.”

Actress Dia Mirza also did not mention Ranaut but wrote, “Mumbai meri jaan. Lived and worked here for almost twenty years. Moved here to live on my own at age 19. This city embraced me with open arms and kept me safe. A cosmopolitan, inclusive, diverse, beautiful city.”

In the latest in the drama, Ranaut said she would be visiting Mumbai in the next few days and challenged her detractors to try and stop her. “I see many people are threatening me to not come back to Mumbai, so I have now decided to travel to Mumbai this coming week on 9 September. I will post the time when I land at the Mumbai airport. Kisi ke baap mein himmat hai toh rok le [Stop me if you dare]," she wrote.