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Posts tagged Huma Adlabs
Sena tears up truce, screens
Feb 10th
CM Assures Multiplexes of Adequate Security, Cops Make Preventive Arrests Across City
Bharati Dubey, V Narayan & Mateen Hafeez | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 10, 2010)
Mumbai: The terror after the truce on Tuesday took everyone by surprise. After promising to let Shahrukh say My Name Is Khan, the Shiv Sena went on the rampage again, attacking movie halls across the city where advance bookings for the film opened, prompting producer Karan Johar, distributors and multiplex owners to seek police protection.
Halls like Shreyas, Mehul and Huma Adlabs in the eastern suburbs and Metro in South Mumbai were attacked by Sainiks. Shiv Sena activists posing as cinegoers bought tickets to a show of Striker at Metro cinema, entered the hall and tore the screen in the evening. Earlier in the day, Sainiks barged into Huma Adlabs and tore up the screen during a show of 3 Idiots. The booking counter of Mehul Cinema at Mulund was ransacked, additional commissioner of police (east region) Ritesh Kumar told TOI.
Karan Johar alongwith distributors and exhibitors of the movie met police commissioner D Sivanandhan on Tuesday asking for security. “The police commissioner has assured us of adequate security,’’ said Johar.
The police, initially caught unawares by the Sena’s assurance not to disrupt the film, swung into action later. After the attacks, cinema halls had mobile police vans with about 18 policemen stationed outside them.Till late at night,over 350 Shiv Sainiks were arrested from across the city as a preventive measure. “Some were arrested for rioting while others were picked up as a preventive measure,’’ said Sivanandhan.
Deputy commissioner of police (Zone IX) K M M Prasanna held meetings with theatre owners under his jurisdiction (Bandra to Juhu), comprising 17 screens. “We assured theatre owners of adequate police protection.’’ “Till 8pm we arrested 45 people for rioting, unlawful assembly and as preventive measures,” additional commissioner of police (West region) Amitabh Gupta said.
Cinema halls closed advance bookings after Tuesday’s incidents. Vishal Kapoor, COO, Fun Cinemas who attended the meeting on Tuesday morning, said, “We have been told there will be enough police security at the time of the relase and asked to open advance bookings. We did so on Monday but stopped it now. If things get better we shall open advance bookings on Wednesday.’’
Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police (law and order), said distributors had given police a list of 63 cinema halls where the movie is to be screened. “We will deploy police at distributors’ offices and cinema halls and provide personal security to them if required. We have already given security to some distributors,’’ said Roy. He indicated cops in muftis will be present in cinema halls. “Before the audience is allowed in the cinema hall, there will be frisking,’’ he said. He added state reserve police force will be called in.
The film industry is not surprised. Mahesh Bhatt said, “In 1989, when Pakistan cricketerturned actor Mohsin Khan acted in my film Saathi, it met a similar fate.It was forced out of halls by the Sena because of his nationality.We spoke to Thackeray and got the impression the matter was resolved but later Mohsin was attacked outside RK Studio.’’ Film writer Dilip Thakur hopes it will be like Amitabh Bachchan’s Shahenshah.He said,“Maratha Mandir was cordoned off by the police, the film released smoothly and Bofors was forgotten.’’
Chavan assures protection
In a late-night meeting with distributors and multiplex owners, CM Ashok Chavan said the government is prepared to protect multiplexes. The meeting was attended by home minister R R Patil, minister of state Ramesh Bagwe, director-general of police A N Roy, additional chief secretary Chandra Iyengar.
Yogesh Naik | TNN
CM threatens to snap Uddhav’s Z-plus security
Feb 10th
ADVANCE WARNING: Sainiks tore posters and vandalised the booking counter at Mehul cinema in Mulund on Tuesday
Sena Renews Warning To Disrupt SRK Film, Attacks 2 Theatres
Prafulla Marpakwar | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 10, 2010)
Mumbai: With the Shiv Sena on Tuesday resuming its attacks against the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name Is Khan, embattled chief minister Ashok Chavan warned that if the party did not allow the smooth screening of the film he would ask the lawenforcing agencies to immediately withdraw the Z-plus security cover of Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray. Incidentally, the CM’s threat comes a day after the government withdrew the security cover of nearly half a dozen Shiv Sena legislators.
On Tuesday, Sainiks went on the rampage, attacking several halls where advance bookings for the film were on, even ripping the screens at two theatres—Huma Adlabs at Kanjurmarg and Metro Cinema in south Mumbai. Following the attacks, producer Karan Johar, along with distributors, met Mumbai police commissioner D Sivanandan to seek security for screening the movie. Chavan met multiplex owners and distributors later in the evening on the issue. He told them that his government was committed to ensuring the safe release of the film.
“My government will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands. If the Sena is indulging in violence and halting the film’s release, we will have no option but to withdraw the special security cover provided to Uddhav Thackeray,’’ Chavan said.
Uddhav, along with his father Bal Thackeray, has the highest security cover in Maharashtra with over 100 constables in each shift and 15-16 constables to guard him. Chavan is probably the first Maharashtra CM to threaten Uddhav with withdrawal of security cover.
Sources said Shah Rukh Khan had taken up the issue of security for his film with Rahul Gandhi who, in turn, asked Chavan to initiate stringent measures against the Sainiks.
Miffed Uddhav gives up cop cover
Late on Tuesday night, miffed Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray gave up the Maharashtra government’s security cover provided to him, reports Ambarish Mishra. “I don’t need your security. I am returning your constables,’’ he said. The state has already withdrawn the official security given to Sena leaders Prakash Bala Sawant, Anil Parab and Ravindra Waikar. All three had taken the lead in organising black flag demonstrations against Rahul Gandhi during the Congress leader’s Mumbai visit last Friday.
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.
