A day before the release of the Shah Rukh Khan starrer My Name Is Khan, theatres and multiplexes here on Thursday decided not to screen the film. In all, there are 18 single-screen theatres and five multiplexes in Pune.
President of the Pune Film Exhibitors’ Association Sadanand Mohol told The Hindu , “The police have agreed to deploy 17 personnel at single-screen theatres. The number deployed at multiplexes is bigger. But the atmosphere is risky. We are simple people and would not be able to deal with violence if there is any.”
Arvind Chaphalkar, owner of City Pride multiplex and member of the Multiplex Association of India, said, “Multiplex owners met with the Commissioner of Police and informed him that we would not release the film unless the atmosphere was peaceful.”
Enough precautions
Joint Commissioner of Police Rajendra Sonawane told The Hindu: “Abundant precautions have been taken. We are geared up to safeguard the law and order situation. The SRPF [State Reserve Police Force] may be called in if necessary. We have served notices to potential trouble-makers. Some may be detained. We have instructed police stations to take preventive measures as per the local requirement.”
Amid the fuss, the losers have clearly been the makers of the film, its exhibitors and the common people.
