Mumbaikars defy Sena

vIndianz.com ( 12 Feb, 2010) — Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name Is Khan’ had a smooth opening on Friday across the country with Mumbai restricting the number of shows following Shiv Sena threat, according to early reports.

My-Name-Is-Khan Defying the Shiv Sena threat, multiplexes in the city screened MNIK which opened to packed houses on Friday.

In all, 30 of the 60 multiplexes and 36 single screens were to show the film. All but four single-screen cinemas have backed out, sending a strong message that the tactics of the Sena will not work.

Amid the cloud of uncertainty, six multiplexes and four single screen cinemas cancelled the morning shows but went ahead with post-noon shows following an overwhelming public response.

Making a political statement, Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil and Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe went for the opening show.

With the “House Full” sign, actors Kabir Bedi and Pooja Bedi had to go back without watching the movie.

10 multiplex owners in Mumbai decided to go ahead with the screening while the single screen theatres decided against showing the movie for the time being, fearing violence.

Amid unprecedented security for the film’s release, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil drove to multiplex INOX to catch the first show of ‘MNIK’, according to media reports.

In Gujarat, the first few shows were cancelled after VHP and Bajarang Dal activists staged protests and torched posters of the movie.

The film opened to full houses in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and several other cities.

The film’s release ran into trouble after Sena lashed out at Khan for supporting inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL.

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