Amid violent protests against ‘Padmaavat’, states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa won’t screen the film

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.
In Gujarat, following last night’s violent protests in Ahmedabad, exhibitors said the film will not be released anywhere, multiplexes or single-screens.

Protests against the film were held in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and several towns of Madhya Pradesh. Mumbai police tightened security at the residences of the film’s director Sanjay Leela Bhasali and the lead actor Deepika Padukone. Deepika will get round-the-clock security, an official said.

The decision of the Multiplex Association of India, which represents about 75 per cent of the multiplex owners in the country, came as Rajput outfits and other fringe elements vandalised malls, burnt 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 said.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Padmaavat is based …read more