Tiger Zinda Hai released as Valmikis vandalise theatres in R'sthan over Salman slur

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer Tiger Zinda Hai, released nationwide on Friday, faced an uproar outside cinema halls in Jaipur with the Valmiki community alleging that the actor has hurt their sentiments. The protesters raised slogans and destroyed posters of the film though their grouse was not against the film's content.

The community members targeted theatres where the movie was released, including the historic Raj Mandir cinema hall in Jaipur. As a result, several morning shows were cancelled across the state.

The protesters accused the Bollywood star of making casteist remarks and wanted all shows cancelled. The community members charged that the actor, during an episode of Bigg Boss television reality show, had insulted the community by using pejoratives against lower castes. 

The community had recently filed a complaint against Salman Khan and Shilpa Shetty for uttering the word 'bhangi' to describe his hat, which hurt the community's   sentiments. Speaking to media, Vikram Valmiki, President, Valmiki Community said, "We are not against the film but we are protesting against Salman Khan's misplaced words. We will call off the protest if he apologises."

Police protection

Apart from Jaipur, other districts, including Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Dausa and Nasirabad, felt the heat as protestors burnt effigies of Salman and vandalised posters. Most of the theatres have now been put under police cover. In Udaipur, Valmiki community members submitted a memorandum to the police demanding that a case be registered against Salman under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

After Padmavati, this is the second film in recent days to face the heat in Rajasthan.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Tiger Zinda Hai s a sequel to Kabir Khan's blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger. Starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in the title roles as Tiger and Zoya, the film has been much hyped right from the time it commenced shooting.