Shows of Nandita Das’ much awaited ‘Manto’ were cancelled on Friday morning, “pan-India” due to ‘some issues with the government’. After much controversy, the screenings resumed later in the afternoon.

NewsCentral24x7.com spoke to PVR Cinemas call centre about the sudden cancellation of shows. The cinema said, “Manto is not running in any PVR. It’s closed. They have cancelled all the shows. Due to some higher authority regarding information, the movie will not run in any PVR.

There are some issues going on with the movie, so as per the government information, the movie will not be run in any PVR.”

A customer service representative told NewsCentral24x7 that in the morning “some issue with dialogue” was raised by the censor board, following which, PVR Cinemas put all shows of Manto “on hold”. Here is the audio of the call:

PVR Cinemas Call Centre Speaking to News Central 24×7

However, multiplex cinema chain PVR said there was some ‘technical glitch’ due to which the shows were cancelled. Manto’s shows resumed later in the afternoon.

Hi! We would like to inform you that due to some technical glitch, the shows of the movie, Manto were cancelled. However, we would never want you to miss out on good cinema and are trying our best to bring you the shows of this most awaited movie. [1/2] — PVR Support (@PVRSupport) September 21, 2018

All shows of @mantofilm are up and running now. Check timings and join the #mantoiyat fever this afternoon onwards. — Viacom18 (@viacom18) September 21, 2018

Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer Manto was cleared by the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) and also held a pre-screening event on September 19.

‘Manto’ is a 2018 Indian biographical drama based on the life of famous Urdu author and cult figure, Saadat Hasan Manto.

PVR Cinemas said that the show timings were updated on Thursday night. However, on the morning of its release, all the shows were abruptly cancelled pan-India due to ‘political issues.’

Director Nandita Das took to Twitter and said that she was ‘hugely disappointed’ over the cancellation of Manto’s shows.

Hugely disappointed… 6 years of work & many people's collective intent & commitment was to find its culmination this morning. Am assured by @Viacom18Movies it will be fixed at noon today. Pls let us know if it hasn’t been. Spreading #Mantoiyat will not stop! https://t.co/kuwWcn5Xa8 — Nandita Das (@nanditadas) September 21, 2018