Citing Pakistani presence, Shiv Sena, MNS threaten 'Bigg Boss'

Mumbai, Oct 4 (IANS) The new 'Bigg Boss' TV series has run into trouble with the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) even as it has barely begun, with both parties Monday warning against the participation of two Pakistanis in the show.

The parties have demanded that the Pakistanis be 'evicted' from Bigg Boss' house immediately. The show, hosted by Salman Khan in its fourth season, aired its introductory episode Sunday on Colors TV channel. The two Pakistanis include model Veena Malik and TV actor Ali Saleem, whose TV persona Begum Nawazish Ali is very popoular both in Pakistan and India.

Shiv Sena Chitrapat wing chief Sangram Shirke said the party has sent a letter to the management of Colors TV channel, expressing its displeasure over the issue.

'We request them to immediately remove Pakistanis from the show. Is there a dearth of celebrities in India that they must bring outsiders, that too from Pakistan?' Shirke demanded.

MNS vice-president V. Saraswat said the party has urged the channel management to remove the two Pakistanis from 'Bigg Boss-IV'. 'We hope they heed our suggestion, failing which we will deal with the situation in MNS style,' Saraswat said.

If needed, he said, the MNS' Lonavala unit will call on the Bigg Boss' bungalow.

Both the parties have decided to adopt a conciliatory approach in the matter but warned of confrontation if the channel management does not comply.

Hosted by Bollywood star Salman Khan, the 'Bigg Boss' was launched Sunday.

Besides the two Pakistanis, other prominent participants in 'Big Boss 4' include: Mumbai lawyer S.G. Abbas Kazmi, who was the first government-appointed lawyer defending Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, Mahesh Bhatt's son Rahul Bhatt who shot into limelight after his association with Mumbai terror attacks suspect David Coleman Headley, television actress Sara Khan, and Seema Parihar, a former dacoit with several cases pending against her.