Mumbai, February 02: Thanks to the Shiv Sena’s ongoing protests against actor Shah Rukh Khan’s statement supporting the inclusion of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League matches, multiplex owners in Pune are not sure if they should screen his latest film My Name is Khan in the city, which is scheduled to release on February 12.
To make matters worse for SRK, right-wing organisation Patit Pawan Sanghatana yesterday organised a begging drive in the city to collect money so Shah Rukh could fly to Pakistan. Members of the organisation are upset over the star’s statements criticising the exclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the third edition of the IPL tournament.
Poster war
The PPS also displayed posters of Shah Rukh at Phadke Haud Chowk asking people to ‘Give some money as alms so Shahrukh can buy a plane ticket to Pakistan.’
Niranjan Phakde, president, PPS, said, “We collected Rs 180 from people which will go towards the air ticket that will take SRK to Pakistan. His support for Pakistani players went against Indian sentiments. Punekars should not only boycott My Name Is Khan but all of SRK’s films.”
Nirav Panchamia, vice president, Esquare, “We have received communication from the Shiv Sena to not screen the film. We are awaiting a formal request from the distributors of the film to decide if we should postpone or cancel the screening of the film.”
Sandeep Shetty, manager, Big Cinema, echoed Panchamia’s views. “We will take a call based on the stand the distributors take on the issue. We have not received any warning or threat from the Shiv Sena so far.”
Madhuri Bogawat, spokesperson, Inox, said, “I will not be able to comment on this issue.”
About 50 Shiv Sainiks tore posters of SRK-starrer My Name is Khan from E Square. Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia has called upon all Hindus to boycott all the movies of the actor.
—-Agencies