Actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgn has demanded an investigation against filmmaker Karan Johar, who allegedly paid Kamaal R Khan Rs 25 lakhs to tweet positive about his next film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" (ADHM) and give negative reviews of Devgn's film "Shivaay".
KJo, on the other hand, has thanked his fans for giving "enormous love" to the teaser of ADHM.
When IANS tried to contact Karan's team, they didn't respond.
But Karan, an active social media user, tweeted on Friday: "Thank you for this enormous love. 15 million ADHM teaser."
Shocked https://t.co/0hDvRqUzMc
— Kajol (@KajolAtUN) September 1, 2016
The film's teaser has received 15 million views on digital platforms like Facebook and YouTube in just three days.
Kamaal R Khan, better known as KRK, has been bad mouthing Ajay's "Shivaay" on Twitter which is clashing with Karan's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil".
Ajay asked his business associate Kumar Mangat to call KRK to find out the reason behind this.
In a shocking conversation KRK confessed that he has to say positive things about "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" as he has allegedly received Rs 25 lakhs from KJo.
The conversation between Kumar Mangat and KRK has been recorded and has been sent to the media.
Let me clear it. Karan Johar has never paid me or asked me to bash #Shivaay n you can hear it in the tape. I said 25 Lakhs to avoid Kumar.
— KRK (@kamaalrkhan) September 1, 2016
Ajay, who is extremely upset with this whole episode, issued a statement where he is also demanding an investigation to bring out the truth.
The statement reads: "I have been a part of the Indian film industry for the past 25 years and have been associated with over 100 films. My father was a professional action director and I have an emotional connection with this industry. It therefore pains me to see that people like Kamaal R Khan are holding the film industry to ransom by spreading negativity about films to extort money from producers."
"It is very sad that people from our own industry are supporting such elements and spoiling the ethos of the film industry. I would strongly demand that this be thoroughly investigated by competent authorities to clarify if Karan Johar was indeed involved in this," his statement reads.
KRK's press conference took the war into Ajay's territory. "He doesn't want to target Karan Johar directly and is shooting from my shoulder," KRK said.
Kumar+Ajay offered me money to bash #AeDilHaiMushkil as he is offering in the tape also but I refused. I told them that I will do it free.
— KRK (@kamaalrkhan) September 1, 2016
He insisted, as he had in a tweet on Thursday, that he isn't actually being paid by KJo. "Karan Johar has never offered me money. Kumar Mangat was putting pressure on me and he is a friend. I needed an excuse (to fob him off). Later in the conversation I have said I don't want money," he said.
KRK also attacked Ajay for accusing Yash Raj Films of keeping his film out of cinemas when his Son Of Sardaar clashed with Jab Tak Hai Jaan in 2012, a month after Yash Chopra died. "Ajay Devgn doesn't have an emotional connection with the film industry, it's all about money. Yash Chopra had passed away, entire industry asked him to change his dates for Son Of Sardaar and he didn't," said KRK.
Karan Johar, the third party in this plot twist like no other, has wisely chosen to not respond. A source says he would not be dignifying the matter with a comment.
While "Shivaay" centres around the adventures of a Lord Shiva devotee, "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" is said to be an intense story about unrequited love.
