Ambala theatre owners cautious

Nitish Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Ambala, January 24

Theatre owners here have adopted a wait-and-watch policy ahead of the release of the movie. They say the administration has assured them of ample security, but they are yet to take a call on screening the film.

VU Cinema in Ambala City had planned two shows of paid preview today evening, but its owners had to cancel them as members of the Rajput community started gathering to express their resentment.

Officials of the district administration and the police reached the theatre to tackle the situation.

Rakesh Kansal, owner of VU Cinema, told The Tribune, “A paid preview was planned but after sensing the situation, the shows were cancelled. The people, who had booked tickets, will get a refund of their money. We discussed the matter with the district administration and other theatre owners. We will screen the movie only when other theatre owners decide to screen it.”

Ashu Sareen, owner of Prime Cinema in Ambala Cantt, said: “We will see how it goes. The movie won’t be screened tomorrow. My friends have watched the special screening of the movie and they say there is nothing objectionable about Rajputs. Rather, the movie glorifies the community.”

He further said, “We want to screen it, deciding against it in view of the protest. Though the administration has assured ample security, we are not taking chances.”

OP Verma, manager of Nigar Cinema in Ambala Cantt, said, “We have adopted the wait-and-watch policy. The decision will be taken after seeing the repercussion in other states.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Sharandeep Kaur has imposed Section 144 and appointed 13 duty magistrates to maintain law and order in Ambala.