Princess Diana’s ex-lover bashes new ‘Diana’ film

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Naveen Andrews and Naomi Watts portray lovers Dr. Hasnat Khan and Princess Diana in “Diana” opening in the U.S. on Nov. 1

The new film “Diana” doesn’t open in the U.S. until Nov. 1, but it has been launched in Britain and throughout Europe and already is causing a ton of controversy — further fueled by Dr. Hasnat Khan, whose affair with Princess Diana is the focus of the movie, starring Naomi Watts in the title role for the film which has received mostly negative reviews.

In an interview with London’s The Sun, the notoriously private Khan, now 54, called the film a “betrayal” of the romance the cardiologist and the world-famous royal ended, shortly before Diana’s death in 1997.

However, Khan’s admission that he “hasn’t seen the film and I haven’t met anyone who has seen it,” is infuriating both the filmmakers and Watts. A source close to the actress said Monday, “It’s one thing for a critic to bash the film, but to criticized something so vociferously without having actually seen it, is pretty shallow. Naomi is baffled by his interview.”

That said, Khan tells The Sun his objections are centered on his belief the movie is “based on a superficial idea. I have kept things very discreet, but now this film is trying open things up again.”

Khan is mostly upset “Diana” is based on the 2001 book, “Diana: Her Last Love,” which claimed Khan’s own family did not accept his relationship with the princess because she wasn’t Muslim. Khan told The Sun that simply was not true.

In the film, the doctor is portrayed by Naveen Andrews, perhaps best known for his role in the hit ABC series, “Lost.”

†While Watts has admitted she had many reservations about taking the role — and even turned it down a couple of times, before saying yes — she now has said she has no regrets. There have been stories the British-born Aussie was most concerned about how Diana’s sons — Princes William and Harry — would react.

A source close to Watts said Monday that was really an exaggeration. It is widely known that members of the royal family — particularly William and Harry — would be opposed to the making of any film that would dredge up such personal aspects of Diana’s life.

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