Padmaavat: Gujarat multiplexes to take call on Monday

The multiplex owners in Gujarat  will meet on Monday to take a final call regarding  the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat in the state.

Rakesh Patel, owner of the Wide Angle multiplex in Ahmedabad,  told DH  he is the only person who has decided not to  screen the movie in his multiplex as he has been contacted by nearly eight  groups. "No one would like to take any risk, fearing damage to property," he said.

In the past, multiplexes in the state have refrained from screening movies, such as the Aamir Khan-starrer Fanna and the Ravindra Dholakia-directed Parzania, over controversies surrounding them at the time of their release.

Patel said a final decision with regard to the screening of Padmaavat  in the 125 multiplexes in the state  will be taken after a meeting of the Gujarat Multiplex Onwers Association on Monday afternoon.

"There appears to be some misunderstanding, so false news claiming it would not be screened  in any of the multiplexes  in the state has begun doing rounds," he said.

The Supreme Court had in  a recent ruling asked Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to ensure the screening of the controversial film and adequate security at cinema halls.

These states had banned the movie after several groups claiming  to be fighting for the dignity of Rani Padmavati, a character in the film, registered their protest.

Some of them burnt tyres  on various national highways in the state on Friday and Saturday, blocking vehicular traffic and  causing  traffic jams.