My Name…’ Opens to Huge Response in Mumbai amid Protests

Despite Sena’s continued protest, even the limited release of Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name Is Khan’ in 13 multiplexes across Mumbai saw tremendous response, reported IANS.

Though heavy security were in place, Shiv Sainiks tried to disrupt release of the movie in all the 13 cinema halls, said report.

Originally, the film was scheduled to be released in 63 movie halls in this metropolis. However, bowing to Sena protest against Khan’s criticism of exclusion of Pakistani cricketers from IPL, most the theatre owners finally backed down.

According to report, police cane charged Sena supporters at K-Star mall in Chembur and pushed back activists attempting to barge inside Fun Republic mall in Andheri West to disrupt the screening of the film Friday afternoon.

The film’s first scheduled show at 9.30 pm was cancelled in the morning but it opened to a full house in Fun Republic shortly after noon, said report.

Report said that former Lok Sabha speaker and ex-chief minister Manohar Joshi was stopped from disrupting release of the film in Dadar and identical scenes were witnessed outside all 13 cinema halls where the film finally released Friday after days of uncertainty.

Also, with a view to enhance public confidence, chief minister Ashok Chavan, state Home Minister RR Patil and Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe purchased tickets and watched movie at INOX cinema in south Mumbai, report said.

INOX cinema also got a house full response to the film.

Taking cue, many other Congress leaders, actors and Bollywood personalities also followed suit, said report.

In Nagpur, Sena supporters burnt posters and vandalised Panchsheel Cinema where ‘My Name Is Khan’ was being shown. Now the movie is scheduled to be screened there later in the day, report said.

Shiv Sainiks also demonstrated outside cinema halls in Nashik, Ratnagiri, Sangli and Dhule.

No cinema hall in Pune and Aurangabad released the film.