Multiplexes remove ‘Pathaan’ posters ahead of release

Ahmedabad: A day after members of members of the Bajrang Dal defaced posters and standees of the Bollywood film “Pathaan” at Cinepolis Multiplex inside Ahmedabad One Mall in Vastrapur, other multiplex owners have removed posters and promotional materials of the film. This decision was taken by multiplex owners to avoid untoward incidents.
Manubhai Patel, president of the Gujarat Multiplex Owners’ Association, said, “Taking cognizance of the incident that took place at an Ahmedabad multiplex recently, multiplex owners have proactively avoided putting up any promotional material of the film. This is in interest of the safety of other patrons and to avoid losses.”
No shows were cancelled at Cinepolis on Wednesday evening or on Thursday morning due to the protest against the film. Bajrang Dal members are protesting ahead of the release of the film across Gujarat. “We are protesting the obscenity portrayed in the film, particularly in a song, where the actor is seen wearing obscene clothing of saffron colour. We cannot tolerate mockery of a religion. Even if filmmakers and actors apologize, we are not willing to let the film release,” said Jvalit Mehta, the North Gujarat president of the Bajrang Dal.
Multiplexes in Gujarat will incur huge losses if one of the top grossing films does not release as it reduce footfalls, industry sources said. Other multiplex owners have not yet taken decisions on the release of the film. “We will wait for the censor board decision before taking a decision,” Patel added. So far, no multiplexes have sought police protection.
Bajrang Dal members said they have issued a letter to all the multiplexes across Gujarat asking them not to show the Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan starrer, which is slated to release on January 25. “If the film is released, Bajrang Dal will conduct public demonstrations protesting the film and whatever happens after that will be the responsibility of the theatre owners,” the letter states. Notably, the letter was first circulated by the Bajrang Dal on December 16, 2022, and was recirculated recently.
“We will individually visit each multiplex here asking them not to release the film,” said Mehta.