[caption id="attachment_161273" align="aligncenter" width="565"]
Members of Rajput community stop a train during a protest against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film 'Padmavat', in Mathura on Wednesday. PTI Photo[/caption]
Mumbai, Jan. 24 (PTI/IANS): As violent protests against the release of film “Padmaavat” burgeoned, the Multiplex Association of India said today its members would not screen the period drama in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa.
The decision of the association, which represents about 75 per cent of the multiplex owners in the country, came as Rajput outfits and other fringe elements vandalised malls, burned vehicles, and issued open threats to theatre owners and public in their bid to stall its release, claiming distortion of history.
The film is slated for release tomorrow.
“We have decided not to play the film in four states Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP and Goa -- as the local management has told us that the law and order situation is not conducive,” Deepak Asher, president of the association, told PTI.
“For us safety of patrons is important. Depending on the scenario, we will see if the atmosphere is safe, then we will play it (in these four states). Things could change (but) at the moment we are looking at safety of people,” he added.
Even in the states where the film would be released, private security guards would be deployed outside cinema halls besides police, he said.
The association members together account for for 1,800- 2,000 screens accross the country.
Police arrest Chittorgarh Karni Sena chief after ‘jauhar’ threat
Jaipur: Police have arrested the Chittorgarh unit chief of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, after its spokesperson declared that over 1,900 women of the community are “ready” to commit “jauhar” or mass immolation as part of protests over the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Padmaavat”.
Police swooped down on the residences of Karni Sena Chittorgarh unit President, Govind Singh Khangarot, and Vice President Kamlendu Singh Solanki at 11 p.m. on Tuesday and arrested them.
Police also arrested Devendra Singh, one of the main members of the organisation.
Speaking to IANS, Rajpratap Singh, state media in charge Karni Sena, said that “Police are trying their best to curb our protest”.
“We are not being allowed to take out a rally or stage protest. There is ‘nakabandi’ all around and strict police arrangements have been made in this town,” he said.
“We have called a meeting and will unveil our next phase of action by evening after a call taken by our Chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi,” he added.
On Tuesday, a senior spokesperson of the Karni Sena from Chittorgarh had said that “people from the city of Queen Padmavat are disheartened with the verdict of the Supreme Court”.
“If we want, we can choose violent ways and disturb people and tourists. However, on the contrary, our women have decided to opt for jauhar (mass immolation) without disturbing anyone,” he said.
He claimed that “wood has been collected at the jauhar location and 1,908 women have registered for jauhar. If the administration allows us to climb on top of the fort, we will do so.”
The film releases on Thursday. The Karni Sena and other fringe groups claim Bhansali’s period drama distorts history.
