Amid tight security, controversial Hindi film 'Padmaavat' was screened at various theatres in the district on Thursday. Adequate police forces were deputed in various cinema halls in the State capital in apprehension of anti-movie agitators creating ruckus. Things went on peacefully sans any news of disturbance from anywhere.
People, particularly the youngsters, started flocking to the theatres where the controversial period drama involving a momentous period of erstwhile Rajputana’s kingdom and a Muslim ruler was being screened. Many of the youngsters who watched the movie spoke volumes of the content of the controversial flick, saying that the glory of the history has not been distorted in any way. Police remained on their toes though throughout the day, given the apprehension of the agitators resorting to violence to disrupt the screening.
There was no arrest in Dehradun city on Thursday, though a few were taken into custody in Rishikesh, said the state additional DGP (law and order) Ashok Kumar.
Saurabh, a spectator who was found coming out of a theatre, said that he immensely enjoyed watching the flick. “Nothing has been shown which can hurt our cultural susceptibility,” he said.
Ritvik, another youngster, echoed the same sentiment, saying that the movie has neither watered down nor distorted history. “It is rather a splendid portrayal of the tempestuous time, realistically and thoughtfully presented,” he added.
Notably, Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts have seen angry protest erupting on the roads against the flick which is supposed to have thrown slur on the patriotic traditions of the royalties based in erstwhile Rajputana and the purity of the legendary queen Padmini.