Won't Screen Padmaavat In Theatres, We're Scared, Says Director Of Gujarat Multiplex Association

Despite clearance from the Supreme Court, cinema owners in Gujarat are resistant in screening Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat on January 25.

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, stayed the order of four state governments and allowed the nation-wide release of Padmaavat. Protests and threats against the movie by fringe outfits like Karni Sena, however, continued.

Afraid of what will ensue if the movie is released, director of Gujarat Multiplex Association, Rakesh Patel said cinema halls in Gujarat will not screen the film.

Patel says huge loss is anticipated by the movie's release and no cinema owner would want to bear it.

"We have decided not to screen the movie in whole of Gujarat. Everyone is scared, No multiplex wants to bear the loss. Why will we bear the loss?," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

Gujarat had earlier banned the release of Padmaavat in the state.

Fringe outfit Karni Sena and other Rajput organisations had threatened of disruptions and arson in Gujarat theaters if they screen the film on January 25.

Raj Shekhawat, Gujarat president of Shree Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena (SRRKS) on Friday openly threatened to torch all movie halls that dare to screen Padmaavat.

"We are ready to face all consequences. The feelings of Rajputs have been hurt by the Supreme Court decision. Our members will resort to undemocratic means if needed. We won't let the film release at any cost and torch all those theatres which release the film," the Times Of India quoted him as saying.

Members of the Karni Sena burnt tyres and vandalised buses in sections of Gujarat on Friday protesting the green signal by the Supreme Court on its release.

The flick, based on the legend of Rani Padmini, a 13th century Hindu Rajput queen, mentioned in Padmavat, an Avadhi poem written by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540, has been facing protests from various groups, particularly the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts.

(Inputs from agencies)

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