CM: Multiplexes free to screen ‘Padmaavat’

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, January 22

“We respect the Supreme Court’s ruling. If multiplexes go by the Karni Sena’s appeal and abstain from screening movie ‘Padmaavat’, well and good. Otherwise, those who want to screen it can go ahead with it and the state government will provide them full security,” said Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar while addressing mediapersons here today.

Asked about fear and tension among multiplex owners over the Karni Sena’s threat, he said that there was nothing to fear. “Their security is our responsibility and we will not allow anybody to disrupt peace or law and order,” he added.

The assurance, however, seemed feeble in front of the warning issued by Karni Sena patron Lokendra Singh Kalvi, who, despite accepting an invitation from filmmakers to watch the movie at a pre-screening event, said that it would not be released.

“I am certain the movie will not be released. If that’s not the case, our group will ensure that a janata curfew is imposed across the country wherever the movie is screened,” said Kalvi while speaking to mediapersons here. Kalvi issued an appeal asking theatre workers to boycott the movie. He insisted that the Censor Board or the court’s decision would not dilute his group’s demand for a nationwide ban on the movie.

The Sena had yesterday given memorandums to multiplexes, asking them to abstain from screening the movie or ‘wait and watch’

Over a dozen masked men ransacked a movie ticket counter and burger outlet at a mall on Sohna road here.

Meanwhile, a dozen masked men attacked a private bus on the way to Delhi from Jaipur, near Narsinghpur village. The miscreants threw stones and tried to burn a tyre of the bus.