“Senior Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab requested us not to air Colors and help them take an aggressive stand vis-à-vis the participation of Pakistani stars in ‘Bigg Boss-4’,” said Cable Operators and Distributors Association’s president Ganesh Naidu.
“Parab told us that Indian channels find no space in Pakistan. So why are we giving importance to people with Pakistani nationality? Most of us agree with him and hence we have accepted his request,” Naidu added.
Some operators blocked the channel by 6 pm, while the channel was completely blocked by 9 pm, when Bigg Boss 4 was scheduled to go on air, Naidu said. Earlier, the Shiv Sena had reportedly issued an ultimatum to Colors to remove the two Pakistani stars—Veena Malik and Begum Nawazish Ali —from the show by 6 pm on Wednesday, failing which they would block the channel.
Cable subscribers from different parts of Mumbai and Thane also confirmed that Colors had suddenly gone off air. Many expressed disappointment at being deprived of their favourite shows owing to a political tussle between Shiv Sena and Colors management.
Despite repeated attempts, Shiv Sena officials were not available for comment whether they had ordered the blocking of Colors. The party has been agitating strongly, demanding removal of the two Pakistani actors from the show.
