[Lucknow,UP]UP on Alert as Cinemas Screen Controversial “Padmaavat”
“Padmaavat” is opened today with tension across cinema halls with armed policemen stationed at vantage points and fire tenders waiting in readiness in case of trouble.
The Deepika Padukone-Shahid Kapoor-Ranveer Singh starrer has been facing protests by the Karni Sena and other fringe groups over allegations that it distorts history and defames their queen Padmavati.
In the state capital, Lucknow, the film was screened at several theatres such as Novelty, Shubham and Pratibha though none reported ‘House Full’.
There was heavy police deployment outside halls in other parts of the state screening the film.
All SHOs and senior officers are directed to patrol their areas and keep an eye on the situation to avoid untoward incidents.
Fearing violence and damage, cinema hall and multiplexes in Meerut ,Gorakhpur were, however, unwilling to screen the film.
SRS Cinemas, for instance, in the town was scheduled to screen the movie but the manager decided not to do so after protests by Hindu organisations.
Members of a fringe group, the Kanpur Kshatriya Mahasabha, yesterday announced a cash reward to anyone who chops off actor Deepika Padukone’s nose.
Several activists staged protests outside two malls in Gomti Nagar area of the state capital. Police, however, managed to control the situation and detained a few activists.
Leaders of the Rajput Karni Sena had met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday and demanded a ban on the film in the state.