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Posts tagged police protection
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
Film director says sorry for title of movie
Jan 15th
Somit Sen | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; January 15, 2010)
Mumbai: Film director Mahesh Manjrekar on Thursday apologised for his film’s title Shikshanacha Aicha Gho, an abusive phrase in Marathi, and said he would screen a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie.
The film will be released across Maharashtra on Friday. Manjrekar took this step following agitation by the Maratha Mahasangh whose members threatened to disrupt the screening. Addressing the media at the Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Manjrekar said, “When I suggested the title of the film, I did not have any intention to hurt the sentiments of Maharashtrians. It was a strong phrase being used to criticise the education system in the state. I wanted to convey this through my film.’’
He further apologised, especially to all the mothers in Maharashtra. “The prints, banners, posters and publicity material for the film are ready and it is too late to make any corrections,’’ he said.
Advocate Shashikant Pawar, president of the Mahasangh, said, “We have decided to call off our agitation as Manjrekar has admitted his mistake and will screen the disclaimer before the film. We are upset with the Censor Board for giving clearance to the abusive title.’’ Pawar said the censor committee should have issued a public notice and sought suggestions/objections before clearing the title of the film. He also criticised CM Ashok Chavan for supporting the film’s title and assuring that the theatres would get police protection.
Manjrekar said he was glad the issue was resolved amicably.
