Anees Bazmi adamant on having Shiney Ahuja in Welcome Back

Shiney Ahuja, who has flown off to Dubai to join the cast and crew of Anees Bazmi’s Welcome Back, has found whole-hearted acceptance in the unit. Everyone except the film’s leading lady Shruti Haasan has welcomed Shiney with enthusiasm. Shruti, we hear, keeps her distance. Says a source from Dubai, “Anees has made it very clear to Shruti that signing Shiney was his idea. And no one has the right to object. There is some friction between Anees and Shruti over this issue. But he has decided to stand his ground.” Speaking from Dubai Bazmi says, “Initially there was skepticism about Shiney’s presence. But I was very clear about what I was doing. Whether Shiney is guilty or not of the crime he was accused of, we’ve no right to pass judgment on him. Let the law take its course.” Anees is adamant about giving the actor work to do. “Shiney has every right to work. He has a wife, daughter and parents to support. His father broke down when he called me to thank me for giving Shiney work. No one from the film industry was willing to give him work, not even Shiney’s so-called friends.” Apparently Anees has been received threats from elements both within and outside the film industry after the announcement of Shiney’s presence in Welcome Back was made. Says the director, “I am not scared of anything. There are people who are unhappy that he is working in my film. Let them do what they like. Now that Shiney has shot with me I am even more convinced it was the right decision. He plays a rich spoilt man. This is the first time he will be seen in a comic avatar.” Shiney plays Naseeruddin Shah’s wayward son. They are both cast as gangsters. Naseer will apparently be shown reprimanding Shiney for his errant ways.