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Posts tagged chembur
Vidya Balan & Karan Johar-Brand new buddies
Jul 2nd
Vidya Balan and Karan Johar have often been meeting up either at work or home
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 30, 2010)
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| Vidya Balan |
What’s brewing between Karan Johar and Vidya Balan? The latest is that the two have struck a new friendship after meeting and interacting at a recent function. Vidya was spotted sitting next to Karan there.
Recently, Vidya was seen at Karan’s office in Khar, which is incidentally diagonally opposite to her new house. She was living in Chembur earlier. A couple of days ago, she even went to Karan’s house at Union Park for dinner and was there for four hours. If all goes well, Vidya may soon find herself in one of Karan Johar’s forthcoming productions.
A friend of Vidya’s says, “Vidya’s fine performances in Paa and Ishqiya, which were very different from each other, has made Karan sit up and take notice. Apparently, they are talking about working together.”
The friend confirmed that Karan had invited Vidya to many of his parties even earlier and that Vidya has always loved Karan’s films.
At Karan’s house the two of them spoke about everything under the sun. Karan confirmed that Vidya came to his house for dinner. He said, “A couple of other friends were there too. Vidya is a tremendously talented actress. My company, Dharma Productions, is very keen on working with her. But there is no film as yet. Right now, there’s only I Hate Luv Storys (which releases this Friday) in my mind.
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| Karan Johar |
I am running around all over the place. Then I’ll be working on Dostana 2, which I am producing. I have become more of a producer now. As for a script, which I was supposed to pen in London for my next directorial venture, I wasn’t able to structure it much. In fact, I ended up having five different ideas.”
Recounting her meeting with Karan, Vidya too was gushing praises for the filmmaker, “Karan Johar is one of the wittiest people I have met. He had me in splits. No wonder, he writes beautifully.”
Meet the voice behind Imran Khan’s Coke commercial
Mar 21st
The soprano-ish voice behind Coke’s ‘bus’ TVC tells Malay Desai why there would always be listeners for edgy music, which is good news for her band Sridhar/Thayil
By Malay Desai (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 21, 2010)
‘I want to be a mean and lean blow-up doll to grace us and stay for an unfashionably long time… so say all you want ‘coz baby it’s showbiz!’
… sang a voice at Blue Frog last night, leaving the club’s audience amused with the theatrics of the spoken word. The voice has also created a buzz on primetime TV across the nation, in a cola commercial featuring actors Imran Khan and Kalki Koechlin.
The TVC has become a talking point, thanks to singer Suman Sridhar rendering Mohammad Rafi’s Tum jo mil gaye ho. It’s also a debut endorsement for the 27-year-old, who has created a popular niche in the indie music industry through her band Sridhar/Thayil. The ad is just an offshoot of her works, which include much more, she tells us over lunch at a Bandra café.
The female half of Sridhar/Thayil looks like a shy monk who’s just given into funky indulgences. Now sporting super-short hair (after carrying off a tonsured look for long) and wearing punk accessories, Sridhar is often eccentric, much like her music. “The TVC happened purely by chance. Mikey (Mike McCleary, composer, best known for his works with Lucky Ali) called me one evening to his Bandra pad; we Youtube-d the old version (featuring Navin Nishchol) and I recorded a scratch,” she tells us.
Weeks later, she received feedback from people who’d recognised her voice. “It’s a pleasant high. I didn’t expect them to use it as it was… and besides, I don’t have a TV, so I didn’t know when the commercial was released!” she chuckles.
Sridhar is a Chembur girl, a fa
miliar hub of south Indians, where mornings are all about Carnatic music and political discussions, stemming from The Hindu. “My family is no different,” she smiles, “dad plays harmonium and tabla while mom sings Hindustani Carnatic.
However, much as they wanted me to practise music, I learnt it just being around some hardcore alaap!” The Sridhars moved to the US when Suman was 14, and she credits her teenage spent around the east coast for her exposure to jazz.
An education in Hindustani and Carnatic music influences her music, which comprises pop, occasional punk and consistent edgy poetry. “We call it twisted pop! Someone recently wrote they are ‘melodies which stay in your head longer than your last drink!’” she laughs.
In India, after travels which a lot of 20-somethings dub as ‘finding themselves’, Sridhar discovered her composing talents, courtesy a MacBook. After a gig on a Bangalore stage once, she ran into Jeet Thayil, a poet-musician and they struck a chord.
Their independent band, Sridhar/Thayil (S/T) first performed in Sri Lanka in 2008 and since then, their entertaining gigs have taken them places. S/T have now performed in London apart from Mumbai and Delhi, and “we want to include more operas, theatre and poetry under our umbrella,” she says.
When asked about the challenges in building an indie band, Sridhar quips, “Protecting our bald heads was definitely a challenge” with a straight face. Later, however, she admits that sustaining an indie band doesn’t come easy.
Artists have ways of making secondary income, which sometimes are ‘offbeat’. “An artist I know dubs for Spanish porn films!” she giggles. Sridhar however, dabbles in programming and producing jingles. She has been working with Amit Trivedi on unreleased film projects, and has contributed to the background score of Wake up Sid. “But to say that I do the commercial bit to pay my bills is incorrect.
Besides, I’d be really depressed if I were to go all out into Bollywood!” she explains. Sridhar is also working on a one-woman experimental play, where she will act. Most importantly, S/T’s debut album is in the pipeline. They have their hands full for now, evidenced by the fact that our pop princess recently moved to a pad in Bandra.
All said, but is this ‘edgy, twisted’ genre viable in the long run to rake in the moolah? “We know our music isn’t commercial but there is a growing global market for newer genres of music.
Come to one of our gigs and the multi-coloured audience will be proof of it. And then, after all, we’re not doing this as a hobby. Of course we have intentions of making a living out of this,” she defends. Well, twisted pop has a long way to go, we guess. And if occasional MNC commercials keep borrowing bits of it, the artists will be more than happy.
Multiplexes in Mumbai stop MNIK bookings
Feb 10th
Despite halls being vandalised, and threat of Sena protests, Shah Rukh and Karan Johar say… Khan WILL release this week
By Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 10, 2010)
With the Shiv Sena going on the rampage against the theatres screening My Name Is Khan, the sudden and violent change of stance after indicating a truce has shocked the film industry.
Several Sena dominated pockets of the city including Mulund, Kanjurmarg, Ghatkopar and Chembur witnessed attacks on theatres planning to screen My Name Is Khan. Huma Adlabs, Shreyas, Ashish and Metro were among the theatres attacked.
Yesterday, the film’s producer Karan Johar met up with Police Commissioner D Sivanandan to discuss the situation. While the police has warned of strict action against troublemakers and over 200 arrests were made on Tuesday, the situation remains volatile. And bearing the brunt are the theatres.
“We are waiting to hear from the distributors (Fox Cinemas) to take an official stand on whether or not to go ahead with the release of My Name Is Khan. It is as much their decision as ours,” said Shunali Shroff of Fame Big Cinemas, adding, “Hopefully, by Wednesday morning, things should get resolved.”
Devang Sampat, GM Marketing, Cinemax said, “We are yet to take a call on this. I have still to speak to the operation team since this is more of an operation call.”
Meanwhile, in an interview to a television channel, Shah Rukh Khan said that while he has had a warm relationship with Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, he didn’t feel there was anything he had said which he should apologise for. He also said that he had not sought any appointment with them to sort out the issue.
It may be recalled that the Shiv Senas had taken an objection to Shah Rukh’s comment that Pakistani cricket players should be allowed to play in the IPL.
At the time of going to press, representatives from all the multiplexes were in a meeting with Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to find a solution to the impasse.
Deepika not invited in Randhir’s get together due to her split with Ranbir?
Jan 27th
Despite starring in Houseful Deepika Padukone wasn’t invited to Randhir Kapoor’s dinner party last night held for the unit of the film. Perhaps her split with Ranbir Kapoor had something to do with it
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 26, 2010)
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| Ranbir Kapoor |
While Ranbir Kapoor might still be nursing a desire to get back with former love Deepika Padukone, his parents have clearly expressed their displeasure on his relationship with Deepika.
We all know that Deepika has never been Neetu and Rishi Kapoor’s favourite. Adding fuel to the fire was the fact that yesterday, Rishi’s elder brother Randhir Kapoor, who hosted a dinner for his co-actors from Sajid Khan’s Houseful, apparently did not invite Deepika to his Chembur residence despite her being one of the film’s lead actresses.
A few hours before the dinner party a source said, “Sajid Nadiadwala, Sajid Khan, Farah Khan, Ritesh Deshmukh and Boman Irani will attend the dinner.
The whole thing stemmed from a conversation at Boman’s 25th wedding anniversary party when the Houseful actors told Randhir that they wanted to eat the traditional Kapoor khaana at his house. Randhir, of course, was more than happy to invite them over.””
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| Deepika Padukone |
When contacted, Randhir told us that none of the three girls from Houseful – Deepika, Lara Dutta and Jiah Khan were invited. He said, “I have invited only a few friends.
The girls are not in Mumbai. The dinner has nothing to do with Houseful. Can’t I have a few friends at my place once in a while?”
Surprisingly, Jiah told us that she was trying her best to reach the party when asked if she was invited. She sent us a text message, “Yeah, I know about the party. I am trying to go.
But it is also my uncle’s birthday tonight and will try to go to both the places. It would be wonderful to see all of them again and Dabooji (as Randhir is fondly called) is so wonderful.”
While we could not confirm if Lara was indeed not invited, Deepika Padukone remained evasive.
Salil heading for divorce
Jan 15th
Salil Ankola says he has filed for divorce from his estranged wife
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 15, 2010)
All is not well between cricketer-turned-actor Salil Ankola and his wife Parineeta. Ankola, who had checked into rehab for an alcohol problem last year, told Mumbai Mirror that he has filed for divorce.
While relations between the couple have been tense for some time now, Ankola said he is unable to understand what triggered Parineeta’s decision to move to Pune with her parents. “I can’t fathom her problem. I think she simply does not want to stay with me any longer. Right now I am living with my aunt in Chembur. My son and daughter are also with Parineeta. I haven’t met them in a long time.”
So is there still a chance of reconciliation? “No way,” says Ankola emphatically, adding that the domestic friction has taken a toll on him personally. Despite efforts, Parineeta could not be reached for her version. “She has changed her number and it is not possible to get in touch her,” Ankola explained.
Rani Mukerji refusing to judge in DPL?
Nov 23rd
Rani Mukerji refuses to judge Dance Premier League until the show’s format is altered
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 23, 2009)
All is not well on the sets of Dance Premier League (DPL). The show’s celebrity judge, Rani Mukerji is so flustered with the format of the show that she stormed out of the sets on Tuesday, November 17. The incident happened at a studio in Chembur.
Furthermore, Rani has curtly asked the show’s producers, Cineyug not to make her resume her position as the judge until her demands are met.
Commenting on why Rani is so upset, a source said, “Rani doesn’t want the DPL participants to be eliminated starting this level (Level 5). She is of the opinion that the DPL winner must be chosen from the existing participants.”
Consequently, the channel and the DPL producers Cineyug are in a fix. They are in no position to abide by her diktat as the show has already completed more than 60 per cent of its running time. Also, the format of the show cannot be changed overnight as it will involve a lot of planning.
The vice-president of the channel, Danish Khan, said, “We are only interested in the final product. Cineyug, who make this show for us, will be the right people to talk to you about this.”
Mohammed Morani of Cineyug confirmed the story and said, “I was out of town when Rani walked out of the show. I don’t know why Rani doesn’t want eliminations to happen at this level. We have reached Level 5 in the show and need to carry out the eliminations to make the contest interesting. We are trying to explain this to her.”
I make the best pair with Konkona Sen-Sharma-Ranbir Kapoor
Oct 19th
Man of the moment: Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor fell in love with movies while still at school. He talks to Subhash K Jha about love, life and how actors are overrated
TIMES LIFE! (October 18, 2009)
RANBIR KAPOOR’S earliest memories of his grandfather Raj Kapoor make him smile as he gets ready for his first shot for the day in Bhopal where he’s shooting for Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti.
RANBIR KAPOOR’S earliest memories of his grandfather Raj Kapoor make him smile as he gets ready for his first shot for the day in Bhopal where he’s shooting for Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti.
“I was his favourite grandchild. Whenever my mom shouted at me I would call him up and he would fire her. I, being his first grandson, was special. Every weekend, the grandkids used to go to his home in Chembur. He kept a bag of toffees and gave us one every time we salomed him. I once asked him for a suit when he was visiting Russia. He got back two bags of suits in every colour possible. He never shopped for anyone else.” Wonder if the suits had anything to do with it, but Ranbir became an ardent fan of Raj Kapoor’s cinema in school. “It was during my last days of school. That’s when I realised I wanted to be part of the film industry. The first RK film I saw was Sri 420. It influenced me deeply.”
Ranbir’s father Rishi Kapoor wanted his son to get a formal education before he became an actor. “I completed my Standard 12 in Mumbai. Then I went to film school in America although everyone suggested I go to business school. But I don’t think I ever could do anything apart from movies. My father supported that and agreed to send me to acting school.”
Ranbir loved the experience of living alone in the US. “I learnt to value my family and my money. I missed my parents. I met them three times a year in Mumbai. In New York, my friends and I would take a train to Queens to see new Hindi films. Being in touch with Hindi films and music during my stay in the US made me determined to turn a director at the earliest.”
‘I’M REALISTIC ABOUT LOVE’
Ranbir didn’t have a girlfriend in the US. “But I had my first girlfriend before that in school in Mumbai when I was in Class 7. I was really naïve then. I didn’t understand love. When that relationship ended I went into depression. I thought I would never fall in love again. Now I think I’ve become more realistic about love. Love is a beautiful feeling. It almost equals cinema in my list of passions.”
Ranbir’s parents have been married for over 30 years. “I firmly believe in marriage. Marriages today go wrong for temporary pleasure and lust. My marriage will be for keeps.”
The Wake Up Sid actor has seen his parents’ marriage go through turbulent times. “That’s what makes any relationship stronger. My sister and I were never kept in the dark about my parents’ fights. If after marriage, God forbid, my wife and I fight, I’d make sure our children don’t feel insecure.”
Ranbir feels Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh make the best ever pair on and off screen. “Just as Raj Kapoor made the best onscreen pair with Nargisji. Me? I think I make the best pair with Konkona Sen-Sharma.”
He admits, “Yup, I think I have a wonderful life. But I want more. Much more. I don’t want my life to get perfect. Because then there’d be nothing more to strive for.”
The way he’s handling his career would have made his grandfather Raj Kapoor proud. If Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya brought Ranbir instant notice, his new film Wake Up Sid has given the young actor a cult status.
Ranbir isn’t taking the rave reviews seriously. He pushes on doing his work, sometimes to the exclusion of a personal life. Girlfriend Deepika Padukone recently had to fly in to Bhopal to spend time with the country’s latest heartthrob. But when he’s shooting, Ranbir detests distractions. He’s so focussed on his work the people close to him feel left out.
For Shimit Amin’s Rocket Singh Salesman Of The Year, which releases next, Ranbir learnt to speak fluent Punjabi. “Rocket Singh made me a better human being. Not too many roles do that. Though my mother is Sikh, I didn’t speak fluent Punjabi. But I started speaking Punjabi for the role of the Sikh. I wore a kadaa throughout the making of the film. I had a beard and turban. I read the Guru Granth. This film made me know and respect the Sikh culture and religion.”
‘ACTORS ARE OVERRATED’
Ranbir is all set to buy himself a home, “It’s just property acquisition. I’ll never live in it, not even when I get married. I can’t stay away from my parents.”
He also has a wishlist of 40 directors he wants to work with. It’s not just in his head. The names are diligently written down and being ticked off one by one. “For me, cinema and not just acting is a passion. I love filmmakers. Actors are generally just tools, and overrated.”
Ranbir reveals his plans as a director. “It sounds too pompous to say I’m already directing a film. But I’ve been inspired by the work of Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, Mehboob Khan, Bimal Roy. My father made me watch their works. I’m not influenced by actors. I’m influenced by these directors. They made me passionate about cinema. I’ve a number of ideas for what I want to make. But I’m not a good writer. I would definitely like to cast myself because I know my film would be about a boy my age. And I’d like to believe no one else would fit the bill better.”
He lights up when he speaks about his father Rishi Kapoor. “I loved my father in Love Aaj Kal. He’s a source of inspiration. His passion for any film, good or bad, is exemplary.”
He has signed only one new film. “I want to take a month off. On the other hand, these are the best years of my life and I might as well make the best of them. Truth is, I feel guilty when I’m not working. I would rather be on a film set than anywhere else.”
Pausing to think, Ranbir says, “I think God has already made plans for me. How things turn out are not in my hands. All I can do is follow my conviction.”
timeslife@timesgroup.com
Sallu-Himesh are friends again!
Sep 3rd
Salman Khan and Himesh Reshammiya, who had fallen out in 2006, decided to not let their egos get in the way of their reconciliation
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 01, 2009)
| Salman Khan and Himesh Reshammiya were good buddies once, but in Bollywood ego usually plays the villain. But like friendships, enmities in the fickle world of films don’t last long either. Yesterday morning, they kissed and patched up on the sets of Dus Ka Dum at RK Studios, Chembur, indicating a thawing-out for the first time since their problems peaked in 2006. Salman and Himesh hugged four times on the sets and they met like long lost friends. Shenaz Treasuryvala and Sonal Sehgal, Himesh’s co-stars in the forthcoming film Radio, accompanied him.
The age-old saying ‘time is a healer’ seems to have worked in the Salman-Himesh relationship, which had gone sour. Salman, who is very clear about his choices, had no issues when the channel invited Himesh to participate in the show. A source from the channel said, “Salman is consulted before sending out any invitation. Only when he showed no apprehensions about inviting Himesh, was he invited.”
Seeing Salman’s warm reception, Himesh was overwhelmed. Another source who was present at the shoot said, “Salman and Himesh were very comfortable with each other. Unlike the past, Salman did not take any digs at Himesh. The shoot wrapped up much sooner than expected.” Anita Basu, who was present at the shoot with her husband (producer of the show, Siddharth Basu), confirmed that there were surprisingly warm vibes between the two. She said, “Salman and Himesh definitely shared very good chemistry and the show went off very well.” It may be recalled that Salman had suddenly stopped playing godfather to Himesh and no longer insisted on featuring him in all his films, and Himesh no longer referred to Salman as God, in gratitude for his help. The friction began at a Nagpur show, where Salman and Himesh had an ego clash. After that, they stopped talking to each other completely. But in true Salman style, the star often took digs at Himesh, making fun of the trademark nasal quality of Himesh’s singing. Anyway, all’s well that ends well. A smiling Salman left RK Studios and Himesh too has been very happy since then. |
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Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan wish BT readers a happy Independence Day!
Aug 15th
PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN: Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan wave the tricolour for BT. For more pictures of Bollywood’s hot couple, log on http://photogallery.indiatimes.com
MARK MANUEL Times News Network (BOBMAY TIMES; August 15, 2009)
The wind plucked at their hair and tugged at the flag. But Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor were not letting go off the Indian tricolour. This Independence Day, they aren’t here — a prior commitment will see them, along with Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif among others, shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for pictures with 50,000 Indians in Chicago. A Meet-and-Greet with Bollywood’s big stars has been organised as an Independence Day treat for Indian fans in the US today and tomorrow, in Chicago and Houston respectively. Tomorrow is also Saif ’s birthday… so it will be a double whammy for old fans and new of the actor-producer who is riding a big high with the super success of his first home production. Before they flew to the US on Thursday night, Bollywood’s most photogenic and happening couple waved the flag and said “Jai ho!” to BT readers. They would have loved to be here today, of course — swine flu notwithstanding, but the fans abroad have been waiting from ever since…
Kareena is used to the flag hoisting scene. As a child, she would hold elder sis Karishma Kapoor’s hand and toddle off to the R K Studios in Chembur where grandfather Raj Kapoor had a ceremony every Independence Day for the children in the family. Holi, rang barse and bhang, Rajji kept for the elders! Then, when Karisma entered Bollywood and the sisters stayed with their mother in Lokhandwala, as a girl of nine or ten, Kareena used to attend the housing society’s
Independence Day functions. But for the last five years, now, she has been out of the country on August 15. And while the patriotic surge is there, the ears strain to catch Jana Gana Mana wherever she is, it’s not the same as being in India on Independence Day. Saif, on the other hand, remembers early Independence Days spent at the family’s royal seat in Pataudi, Bhopal, where they had their own flag and coat of arms. His father, Mansoor Ali Khan, was the ninth and last Nawab of Pataudi before Indira Gandhi abolished royal entitlements in 1971 by an amendment to the Constitution. The royal flag came down (he remembers it fluttering from his grandmother’s car) and the Indian tricolour came up at Pataudi. Today, despite the royal blood, and over Kareena’s protests that he sometimes acts like a little angrez, MAK Pataudi’s only son is as Indian as his Punjabi lady love. See the pride in their eyes as they wave the flag? That’s what we mean.
mark.manuel@timesgroup.com
INSIDE STORY: How MNIK managed to get a release in Mumbai
Feb 13th
Posted by Fenil Seta in Bollywood News
No comments
The State Government has claimed that My Name is Khan was screened at 13 multiplexes and single screen theatres. Sena claims its protest was successful. While Shah Rukh Khan claims he has stood his ground.
How did an impasse that did not look resolvable any time soon and threatened to throw the city out of gear, end on a truce within a day? According to sources, it took some massive backroom negotiations and a little bit of arm twisting by the government to achieve that.
It was a matter of political prestige and the Democratic Front government had to put in all its might. Multiplex chains and theatre owners were threatened that if despite all security assurances they did not screen the SRK-starrer, the tax rebates they enjoy currently would be withdrawn.
Shiv Sena was allegedly cajoled to an understanding that it had had enough time in the sun and it was in the best interest of the party that it ceded ground.
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan’s office assured that the government would provide Sena an environment to claim a successful protest. A bit of pressure in the form a threat to treat arrested Shiv Sainiks as criminals and not political workers sealed the deal.
As for Shah Rukh, he was reportedly asked to send another tweet regretting his comments that may have hurt sentiments without changing his stand.
The impasse all through was closely monitored by the Congress High Command in Delhi.
Backroom tactics
According to sources in the establishment and the theatre industry, when on Thursday evening it appeared that despite heavy force deployment theatre owners were reluctant to release the film, the government decided to take a strong step.
An exhibitor told Mumbai Mirror, “On Thursday evening a message was sent to all the exhibitors from the government that they could lose their tax benefits if the film was not released. It was reiterated on Friday.”
Similarly backroom negotiations with Sena were held. A senior functionary in the establishment said, “The Sena was told that it had had its protests and now it was a question of the government’s prestige.
If agitations were not stopped, it would take unprecedented harsh action against Sena workers. So it was in the best interest of Sena to withdraw the agitation and the government would let it claim success.”
By Friday afternoon, SRK too was instructed to subtly apologise and so the tweet of regret: “If I have said anything wittingly or unwittingly, have disturbed any sentiments, I express wholehearted regret.” Even though he later said this was meant only for his fans.
The result: kudos for CM Chavan from the Congress high command. Rajiv Shukla, Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra said, “If at all, full credit goes to the Chief Minister who handled the situation firmly.”
Elsewhere, the Sena issued a statement, claiming a successful agitation. “We never insisted Shah Rukh to apologise to Sena. Our stand was that he should apologise to the nation. The country is bigger (than anybody). We stood up against Khan out of patriotic fervour,” said a press statement.
What happened on the ground
However, the government had to move a lot of things on the ground as well to make the backroom negotiations successful.
To ensure minimal damage to the theatres, some 48,000 policemen were on the streets as it had become a prestige issue for Chief Minister Ashok Chavan who was seen struggling with the political juggernaut coming his way in the last two-three days.
The CM, who appeared fighting his personal battle with no Congress minister except Narayan Rane and Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe speaking on his side, got some respite with Home Minister R R Patil coming in for help.
Sources said, Patil asked senior police officers to speak to the theatre owners and assure them of state protection even after the release of the movie. That made a significant difference, as it is the Home Department and the police that handles issue of the cinema licences.
To restore the confidence of the theatre owners, CM Chavan, Patil and Bagwe visited a few cinema houses on Friday afternoon. MP Sanjay Nirupam went along with his supporters to watch the movie at Fun Cinemas in Andheri.
When contacted by this newspaper, the CM refused to elaborate on his plans for the release of the movie. “The government has made every effort to protect the theatres and the viewers who wanted to enjoy the movie,” he said. Though he did not speak much, he seemed a much relieved man as a non-release would have had an adverse effect on his chair.
Patil told this newspaper that the movie was released in almost 13 multiplexes and single screen theatres. “Our policemen have taken every care to stall any effort to disrupt the screening,” he said.
According to police sources, the movie released at Fun (Andheri), Inox (Nariman Point), PVR (Goregaon), Fame (Malad), Cinemax (Ghatkopar and Kandivali), Big (Wadala), Regal (Colaba), Ashish (Chembur), Kalpana (Kurla), Shreyas (Ghatkopar), Premier (Dongri and Parel).