"Now we want to show the real intolerance. The protest is not because Mr. Khan is a Muslim; but against his statement," said a protester.

Activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have stopped screening of Shah Rukh Khan-starring Dilwale in Mangaluru and surrounding areas since Sunday night.

They held simultaneous protests in front of multiplexes screening the film in Mangaluru and a theatre in Surathkal, asking the operators to halt the screening. “We had to oblige,” said a multiplex operator.

VHP Dakshina Kannada President Jagadish Shenava told The Hindu that the country and people have made Shah Rukh Khan a star. “People are aghast over his statement that intolerance was prevailing in the country.”

“Now we want to show the real intolerance. The protest is not because Mr. Khan is a Muslim; but against his statement,” he said. Bajrang Dal leader Sharan Pumpwell said that they had ‘requested’ cinemas not to screen the movie. Asked when the screening could resume, he said it is not yet decided.

A couple of multiplex operators, who did not wish to be identified, said that the activists staged protests on Sunday late evening, forcing them to cancel the remaining shows for the day. They are not screening the movie on Monday too. Meanwhile, the operators are in dialogue with VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders to broker peace.

Mangaluru City Police said they had extended protection to cinemas on Sunday during the protest. There is no specific request for protection to continue the screening, a senior officer said.