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Khan movie hits Mumbai amid row | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A Bollywood film featuring star Shah Rukh Khan has opened amid tight security in a few cinemas in the Indian city of Mumbai. | |
More than 1,800 people have been arrested at protests against My Name is Khan, which will be shown at 63 venues. | More than 1,800 people have been arrested at protests against My Name is Khan, which will be shown at 63 venues. |
Khan angered the hardline Hindu party, Shiv Sena, by saying he regretted that no Pakistani cricketers had been picked for next month's Indian Premier League. | Khan angered the hardline Hindu party, Shiv Sena, by saying he regretted that no Pakistani cricketers had been picked for next month's Indian Premier League. |
Two small cinemas have already been attacked in Mumbai and posters burned. | Two small cinemas have already been attacked in Mumbai and posters burned. |
The BBC's Prachi Pinglay in Mumbai says multiplex cinema owners have decided on a "limited release" of the film. | |
Most single-screen cinemas have refused to release the film, fearing trouble, our correspondent says. | |
Reports said most of the morning shows had been cancelled, and it was unclear whether the cinemas would release the film in the subsequent shows. | |
'Nothing to fear' | |
One multiplex reported a full house for the film, leaving actress Pooja Bedi and her father, Kabir Bedi, without tickets. | |
"I am very happy that the film is getting a full house. Police are doing a fabulous job. People need not fear at all," Ms Bedi told reporters. | |
The authorities have announced that 21,000 police officers will be deployed to protect cinemagoers, frisking patrons before entering. Night-vision cameras may also be used to spot troublemakers inside. | The authorities have announced that 21,000 police officers will be deployed to protect cinemagoers, frisking patrons before entering. Night-vision cameras may also be used to spot troublemakers inside. |
Shah Rukh Khan comments on the protests | |
Despite the promise of protection, a number of cinema chains stopped taking advance bookings for My Name is Khan this week. | Despite the promise of protection, a number of cinema chains stopped taking advance bookings for My Name is Khan this week. |
One cinema-goer in Mumbai told the AFP news agency that she found the controversy over Khan "alarming and disturbing". | One cinema-goer in Mumbai told the AFP news agency that she found the controversy over Khan "alarming and disturbing". |
"I'm not going to be deterred by these kind of threats," said the woman, who asked not to be named. | "I'm not going to be deterred by these kind of threats," said the woman, who asked not to be named. |
Khan, part-owner of Indian Premier League cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders, spoke out last month after no players from Pakistan were selected for the IPL Twenty20 competition. | Khan, part-owner of Indian Premier League cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders, spoke out last month after no players from Pakistan were selected for the IPL Twenty20 competition. |
The 44-year-old Muslim has stood firm over his remarks, but apologised to his collaborators in My Name is Khan. | The 44-year-old Muslim has stood firm over his remarks, but apologised to his collaborators in My Name is Khan. |
SOUTIK BISWAS'S INDIA Why is Bollywood so ineffectual? Why don't its leading lights stand up and protest when one of their own is threatened? Read Soutik's blog | SOUTIK BISWAS'S INDIA Why is Bollywood so ineffectual? Why don't its leading lights stand up and protest when one of their own is threatened? Read Soutik's blog |
"I request everybody to leave the film alone and deal with what I have said as an individual," he told reporters in London last week. | "I request everybody to leave the film alone and deal with what I have said as an individual," he told reporters in London last week. |
In the film, Khan plays a Muslim with Asperger's syndrome whose life in the US changes after the 11 September 2001 attacks. | In the film, Khan plays a Muslim with Asperger's syndrome whose life in the US changes after the 11 September 2001 attacks. |
Shiv Sena, a regional party which backs the cause of local Hindus in Maharashtra state, has pledged to continue its protests. | Shiv Sena, a regional party which backs the cause of local Hindus in Maharashtra state, has pledged to continue its protests. |
The organisation, often described as anti-Muslim, regards itself as a defender of what it sees as traditional Hindu moral values. | The organisation, often described as anti-Muslim, regards itself as a defender of what it sees as traditional Hindu moral values. |
Khan is one of the biggest stars of India's film industry and has hosted the local version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. | Khan is one of the biggest stars of India's film industry and has hosted the local version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. |
The eight-team IPL Twenty20 competition starts on 12 March and is staged over 45 days. | The eight-team IPL Twenty20 competition starts on 12 March and is staged over 45 days. |