Uncertainty dogs release of ‘My Name Is Khan’

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MUMBAI - Uncertainly loomed large Thursday over the release of Shah Rukh Khans much awaited movie My Name Is Khan in Mumbai scheduled to hit the screens Friday.

A section of cinema hall and multiplex owners have decided not to screen the movie on grounds of security in view of the threats from the Shiv Sena, according to industry sources.

However, other independent theatre owners where the movie is scheduled for release have adopted a wait and watch policy before taking a final decision on the issue by late Thursday.

As per latest indications, at least three major chains of multiplexes, Fun Cinemas, Fame, and INOX have decided against releasing the movie, while other major cinemas like G-7, Maratha Mandir and some other single-screen cinemas have stopped advance bookings for MNIK, the sources told IANS.

“We are thankful to the state machinery for providing security, but the fact of the matter is that no customer has really turned up and there are threats from Shiv Sena. The atmosphere is not good and in such a situation if we release the film and something happens, somebody has to be responsible,” Vishal Kapur, CEO Fun Cinemas told reporters in Mumbai.

Officials from Cinemax and IMAX told IANS that the show timing for the film had not been scheduled yet and its release was uncertain as of now.

However, the films producer, Karan Johar of Dharma Productions, is expected to take a decision in the matter only late Thursday.

Similarly, multiplex owners are expected to speak with Shah Rukh who is in Abu Dhabi for a promotional tour of the movie in the Gulf region.

Industry sources say that cancelling the release of the movie is out of the question since its prints have already been sent all over the world.

Moreover, they pointed out that delaying the release could lead to pirated prints flooding India, seriously damaging the box-office prospects of the movie.

Meanwhile, television channels quoted Johar claiming that these (reports of stalling the release) were all rumours and the movie would be released as scheduled Friday.

The Shiv Sena has come out against the release of “My Name is Khan” after Shah Rukh refused to apologize for suggesting that Pakistani cricketers should have been picked for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).