MNIK opens across Madhya Pradesh amidst minor protests
By IANSFriday, February 12, 2010
BHOPAL - Shah Rukh Khan’s latest film “My Name is Khan” released all over Madhya Pradesh except Jabalpur Friday, amidst some protests by the Shiv Sainiks. The film drew huge crowds with all the shows going “house full”.
Police had to use mild force to disperse Shiv Sena activists who pelted stones at the Jyoti Talkies in Bhopal. A handful of Shiv Sena activists, around 20, earlier in the day held a demonstration at the cinema hall but their attempt to disrupt the show was unsuccessful. Heavy police force was deployed at all the three theatres where the movie was released in Bhopal.
Shiv Sainiks, however, returned during the evening show and pelted stones after which police baton charged them and took a few of them in custody.
The movie could not be screened in Jabalpur district as the theatre owners there said there was no communication from their association in Mumbai and hence, they were unable to begin the screening.
Elsewhere in the state including Gwalior and Ratlam the movie was released amidst minor protests, said MP Cinema Exhibitors Association Secretary Aziz Bhai.
Meanwhile, noted lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar said: “Shah Rukh’s statement was not controversial. Shah Rukh also said ‘how can I take the Pakistani players because there is a problem between India and Pakistan’. But unfortunately this part of the statement is not mentioned.”
