India

Shiv Sena activists on Tuesday vandalized a cinema hall in Mumbai which will be screening Shah Rukh Khan’s forthcoming film ‘My Name is Khan’.

The activists targeted Mehul Cinema, which has erected posters of the film, and broke the glass showcases heralding the movie.

It may be recalled that Shah Rukh Khan, who is also the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, one of the teams competing in the ensuing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), had said that the participant teams should have considered the players from Pakistan.

The comment has invited the wrath of the Shiv Sena, who have threatened to halt the screening of the film in Mumbai.

After the Shiv Sainiks indulged in reckless vandalism, the manger of the theatre spoke to the media persons and he seemed to be scared of the tirade launched by the Shiv Sena against Shah Rukh Khan.

“They did not beat anybody. They just broke all the glasses, and asked us to close the theatre. They also asked us to stop the films being shown after which all the public went out. At least 40 percent of our capacity was in the theatre,” said Gulab Shinde, Manager of Mehul Cinema.

“I have registered a police complaint, but they could not arrest anyone as the activists ran away before the police arrived. It all happened because of the posters of ‘My Name is Khan’. They came in and saw all these posters,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan had assured security to the release and screening of Shah Rukh Khan’s film.  (ANI)