‘MNIK’ morning shows cancelled in Ahmedabad
By IANSFriday, February 12, 2010
AHMEDABAD - The morning shows of Shah Rukh Khan’s “My Name Is Khan” were cancelled in multiplexes here Friday due to protests by right-wing groups. But by noon, the theatres started screening the film while cities like Vadodara and Surat went ahead with the first day first show itself.
There was confusion about the film’s release in the morning as activists of the Bajrang Dal and Mahagujarat Janata Party (MJP) mounted pressure on multiplex owners in Gujarat to desist from screening the much-awaited film.
Bajrang Dal activists tore down posters of the movie at City Gold cinema hall here. Ten of them were arrested and booked for the violence - the administration had sent out a clear message that miscreants would be dealt with firmly.
Adequate police personnel were deployed in cinema halls across Gujarat to prevent any untoward incidents.
Neeraj Ahuja, general manager of Wide Angle multiplex in Ahmedabad, said screening of “My Name Is Khan” had begun past noon at all theatres in the city.
“We have been assured all help and protection by the administration, which has adopted a very positive approach,” he said.
There were also reports of the film’s posters being torn down in cinema halls in Palanpur, Deesa, Jamnagar and Rajkot too. In Vapi, an effigy of Shah Rukh was burnt outside the Cinepark multiplex by Shiv Sena activists.
In Rajkot, a Pakistani flag was burnt outside the Crystal Mall.
Right wing Shiv Sena is opposing the film’s release after Shah Rukh Khan refused to apologise for saying that Pakistani cricketers should have been included in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches.
Activists of the Shiv Sena have vandalised several theatres in Mumbai that were to screen “My Name Is Khan”.
