Shah Rukh Khan starrer film 'My Name Is Khan', facing the Shiv Sena's ire, got off to a smooth screening in the cinemas and multiplexes in the national capital amid beefed up security.
Isolated cases of protest against screening of the film were, however, reported last night when persons claimed to be Shiv Sainiks tore posters of the movie and damaged window panes of Satyam cinema hall in west Delhi. All the five persons were detained by the police.
"Policemen are deployed near the theatres in adequate numbers to avoid any violence. We are keeping close watch," a senior police official said.
The film, which is banking on the chemistry of Shah Rukh and Kajol, has recieved a good response in theatres here.
"Morning shows have 85 per cent occupancy but the post noon shows are all sold out. Our theatres are booked till Sunday," Jayendra Banerjee, Vice President Satyam Cineplexes told PTI.
Sena had yesterday threatened that it will not allow the screening of the film in cinemas and multiplexes in the national capital region. The party is protesting against Khan's remarks favouring inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL.
In another incident, an advertising hoarding of Amul, featuring Shah Rukh Khan was set on fire by some people, police said. Some posters of the movie were also damaged by a some people in Nizamuddin area of the city.
"Some 75 screens in Delhi and NCR are screening the movie. The film has also benefited from the Shivratri holiday today. On an average multiplexes are running 11 to 12 shows a day," a distributor said.
'My Name Is Khan' is the story of Rizwan Khan, a man suffering from Asperger's Syndrome, who is mistaken for a terrorist post 9/11 and undertakes a long journey across the US to prove his innocence to the love of his life, played by Kajol. PTI
