Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial film 'Padmaavat' today opened in 129 theatres in and around Kolkata, a spokesperson of the movie distributor here said. 'Padmavaat' shows are running smoothly everywhere in the city with no sign of protest anywhere, a police officer said, adding that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place. "The film is running in 129 theatres, including single- screens and multiplexes, in Kolkata and its surrounding areas and there is no report of any disruption as yet," the spokesperson of SVF, the distributor of the film, said. "In many auditoriums, the shows are running houseful while the response has been good in others," she said. A spokesperson of multiplex owners Inox Leisure Ltd said more than 50 per cent occupancy was recorded from its theatres. "Around 100 shows of 'Padmaavat' are running in INOX theatres across West Bengal and over 50 per cent occupancy has been recorded overall," she said. At Navina Cinema, a single-screen theatre in the southern part of the city, four shows were lined up for the day. The film has received good response in its first two shows, threatre owner Navin Chokhani said. "There is enough police presence and I hope those wishing to see the film won't face any difficulty.
There was no demonstration by any outfit today or in past few days." In December, some people, claiming to be members of the Karni Sena, had demonstrated outside Navina for putting up posters of the film. The period drama has been marred by controversies since the time it went into production. Fringe Rajput groups, including the Karni Sena, have protested against the movie alleging that it distorts history and shows Queen Padmini in "poor light". The filmmakers have repeatedly denied the allegations. The Supreme Court had last week cleared the decks for the film's all-India release today. Starring Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, the film was initially scheduled for release on December 1, but had to be postponed as the Central Board of Film Certification took time to issue a certificate.
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