Khan, who is in Berlin, was quoted as saying, "My stardom is transient and my integrity is non-negotiable. My being Indian is unquestionable. I may not have the same ideologies as the Sena but on the question of me being a patriot, I don't think there should be any confusion."

The Maharashtra government which had claimed to have beefed up security to ensure the screening of the film yielded to Shiv Sena pressure. The party had planned attacks on theaters and multiplexes screening the movie.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan told the media, "It's the decision of theater and mutliplex owners not to release the film. The government cannot do anything."

Earlier, coming out in support of Khan, Raj Thackeray, the estranged nephew of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, posed a question to his uncle and his party as to why the Sena wasn't seeking apology from Amitabh Bachchan for sharing the dais with Pakistani artists while pressing for apology from Khan.

Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, Raj said, "The MNS will in no way get involved in the controversy and will not participate in any protests or agitation against Khan or his film. I don't understand the Sena tirade against the actor and his film. But I want to know why the Sena is quiet on Bachchan hobnobbing with Pakistani artists."

Sena is demanding Khan apologize for his statement about taking Pakistani players for the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

Raj accused the Sena of adopting double standard. "While they express their anger at Khan for talking about taking Pakistani cricketers for the IPL, they find no problem with Bachchan when he shares dais with Pakistani actors.

"Khan is not close to me, nor do I have anything against Bachchan. But I am against the double standard," he said.

"Pakistani artists are being brought to the country for the Times of India newspapers group program 'Hope for Peace.' In one of the programs held in Mumbai, Bachchan was sitting with Pakistani artists on the dais. He even recited a poem. But Sena is not asking for apology from Bachchan," Raj added.

In another development, senior Congress leader and state Revenue Minister Narayan Rane alleged on Thursday, that Sena protests and threats were only meant to extract money from Khan and the film producer, Karan Johar.

Sena Working President Uddhav Thackeray criticized the Maharashtra government, while his father Bal Thackeray said Chief Minister Chavan was in his position because of help from Pakistanis. He called Chavan "Ashok Khan."

Several political analysts were critical of Sena saying the party was focusing on only one issue - the film and actor Khan, while placing on the back burner issues like price hike and unemployment.