SRK's punishment too harsh: Javed Akhtar

May 20, 2012 IANS

Mumbai, May 20 (IANS) Renowned lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar says that the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA)'s decision to ban Shah Rukh Khan from the Wankhede Stadium for five years is a "little harsh".

MCA slapped a five-year ban on Shah Rukh, co-owner of Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), from entering the stadium for allegedly misbehaving with security personnel and MCA officials at the stadium Wednesday night. In his clarification, the superstar alleged that he got upset when he saw MCA officials allegedly manhandling his daughter.

"I don't know what has happened in detail. But from whatever I know, I feel it's more of an over reaction. I don't know exactly what happened, so I can't judge. But there is no need to react like this. I have no right to take sides, but I feel that the punishment is a little harsh," he told reporters here Saturday when asked about his viwes on the issue.

Akhtar was speaking at the launch of the Marathi version of his book "Tarkash".