Mumbai: In a big blow to the makers of My Name Is Khan (MNIK), three key multiplex chains have decided not to screen the film in the face of Shiv Sena threats to unleash violent protest, TV reports said on Thursday.
While Mumbai police said it made all arrangements to protect the theatres and multiplexes, the owners decided not to risk a Sena violence.
The multiplexes are Big Cinema, Inox and PVR, reports Times Now.
The development came on a day when Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said his outfit would not disrupt the screening of the film starring Shahrukh Khan.
On Wednesday at least 1600 Shiv Sena supporters were taken into preventive custody along with 59 major arrests to prevent attack on the theatres daring to screen MNIK from Friday.
Fear psychosis gripped the theatre owners after sporadic attacks and many cancelled advance bookings of MNIK in Mumbai.
But as police cracked down on Sena men and beefed up security, there were reports that advance bookings opened again.
On Tuesday, Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar met the Mumbai police chief and obtained assurances of security during the screening and release of MNIK, facing the ire of Shiv Senas for actor Shah Rukh Khan’s stance on Pakistani players.
Things reached a flashpoint when Shah Rukh Khan said he would not apologise to the Shiv Senas for his remark on Pakistani players.