Mumbai:
Two days to go for My Name is Khan's release, and advance bookings in Mumbai have just about opened. On Wednesday - a day after the Mumbai Police assured Karan Johar of full security - nearly half of the city's cinemas had stopped advance bookings for the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer, scheduled for release on Friday. (
Read: Karan Johar meets police chief about SRK's film)
The theatres complained of inadequate protection. But at least 25% of Mumbai's police force is out guarding cinemas across the city. Over 1,500 Shiv Sainiks have already been put behind bars. The leave of all Mumbai police has been cancelled so that 63 theatres scheduled to show SRK's film can be protected. (
Read: Mumbai cops' leave cancelled for SRK's film)
Encouraged perhaps by the increased security, at least two multiplex chains began over-the-counter advanced bookings later in the day. "We feel more confident. The day before yesterday, we had just a couple of policemen here. Today, there are about 100 policemen guarding each theatre," said Vishal Kapoor, COO of Fun Cinemas.
In addition, the Mumbai Police has also issued a dos-and-don'ts list for theatre owners. "We have been told to keep the first three rows empty, and to have a videographer inside and outside the theatre to monitor all happenings," said Manoj Desai, owner of G7.
The constables assigned to cinema halls have been told that no bags can be taken into theatres. Every ticket-holder will be frisked while entering the cinema, and will have to provide identity cards. Single-screen cinemas will be manned by a police sub-inspector, one constable, two women police constables and 5 plainclothes policemen. Theatres with more screens will have even more security.
The Shiv Sena, which has threatened to attack cinemas showing the film unless Shah Rukh apologizes for his comments on Pakistani cricketers, continues to be belligerent. Shahrukh has angered Sainiks, standing by his statements on his return to Mumbai. (
Read and watch: SRK's interview to NDTV)
The Sena is also clearly boosted by Sharad Pawar's meeting with Bal Thackeray, where he sought the Sena Chief's approval for Pakistanis and Australians playing the IPL - just two days after Rahul Gandhi's drubbing response to the Sena. (
Read & Watch: Pawar meets Thackeray for cricket, snubs Congress)
The party sees the tussle as a prestige issue, and has challenged the Government to withdraw all security to its leaders. "I asked my security to be withdrawn last night itself," said Uddhav Thackeray.
"We don't see this as a challenge. It is a law and order problem we will deal with it accordingly." Chief Minister Ashok Chavan retorted.
The Sena's diktat apart, Mumbai seems ready to welcome the film. "I'll surely go to watch MNIK because I don't think SRK has done anything that should make people stay away from the movie," said a fan. "We live in a democracy. Nobody should obstruct people from going for a movie," said another.
Meanwhile, the film's crew is away in Abu Dhabi for the film's worldwide première. (
Watch: My Name is Khan's première in Abu Dhabi)
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