With the Shiv Sena reportedly opposing the screening of Shah Rukh Khan starrer My Name Is Khan, multiplexes have stopped publicity for the film. Prakhar Joshi, head of programming, PVR Cinemas, said, ?Currently, no publicity is being done by the multiplexes. Any multiplex that displayed hoardings and posters of the film has taken those off due to various security issues.? To avoid any controversy, Big Cinemas (Metro), which had put up a poster of the film, removed it within a few days. However, multiplex owners say the producers and distributors of the film are currently holding discussions with the political party on the screening of the film. ?As of now, we have not got information from the producers and distributors on any change in the release date. Thus, as per scheduled, the film is releasing on February 12,? said an industry source.
The political party had reportedly written a letter to the Theatre Owners’ Association asking them not to screen the film. “If cinema properties are attacked, we could lose around Rs 3-4 lakh per property, which is a big loss for us. We can’t release the film unless until the matter is cleared and resolved by Shiv Sena,” said a multiplex owner.
Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan has come out in support of the film. A statement issued by his office said, ?Strict actions will be taken against anyone who tries to disrupt screening of Shah Rukh Khan’s film My Name Is Khan. No one will be allowed to take the law into their hands.?
The Rs 55-crore film, co-produced by Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan, depicts the impact of the 9/11 terror attack on the life of an Indian Muslim living in the US.