Theatres refuse to screen Padmaavat
: Gujarat multiplex owners have decided not to screen the film Padmaavat, fearing vandalism from members of fringe groups.
Despite the Supreme Court staying the ban on the film by four states — Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat — theatre owners said they don’t want to suffer any loss to property and as a result have taken the call to not screen the Deepika Padukone starrer in the state’s 125 multiplexes.
“We have decided not to screen the movie in the whole of Gujarat. Everyone is scared, No multiplex wants to bear the loss. Why should we bear the loss?” said Rakesh Patel, director, Gujarat multiplex association.
A day after actor Akshay Kumar pushed back the release date of his movie PadMan to give Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat a free run at the box office, theatre owners developed cold feet despite assurance from the police department.
“On Friday, we had a meeting with the police department, which asked us to provide the details of our security requirement. However, the number of protesting groups has swelled to 10. All of them have been making frequent visits to multiplexes across the state and warning us of consequences if the film is be screened,” Patel said.
Karni Sena and other groups allegedly blocked highways across the state on Saturday to protest against the film’s release.
The multiplex owners said the situation this time was more threatening than what it was in the lead up to Aamir Khan starrer Fanaa’s release. The Kunal Kohli-directed film was also not allowed to run in Gujarat’s theatre following Aamir’s remarks in support of the Narmada Bachao Andolan movement.
“These (protesting) groups are adding to their strength every day. The number of groups and those supporting them to stop Padmaavat’s release are only increasing every day. Despite the police department ready to provide security cover, only theatre owners will be at loss in case of untoward incidents,” Patel said.
Theatre owners said the movie was unlikely to get a big opening as viewers would be wary of going to cinema halls due to vandalism threats from the protesting groups .
Various Rajput and Kshatriya groups have been protesting against the release of the Padmaavat. The film is said to be based on a work of fiction by a sufi poet. But Rajput groups have alleged that the movie portrays queen Padmini’s character in an ‘improper way’ and hurts the sentiments of the community.
AHMEDABAD