Media Eye News Bureau: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s controversial movie "Padmaavat" was released across India today amid Rajput groups, especially the Karni Sena, continued protests in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan
Rajput groups were seen blocking roads and holding rallies despite tight security.
A group of activists opposing the screening of controversial movie allegedly beat the owner of a multiplex in UP.
Protests were held in pockets of Uttar Pradesh, including Muzaffarnagar, Agra, and Mughalsarai. In Lucknow, Karni Sena members stood outside movie halls and asked cine-goers to boycott the film
The movie was not screened in Rajasthan amid a shutdown called by the Shree Rajput Karni Sena, whose activists held rallies and protests in several cities and towns against the film.
The Karni Sena took out a bike rally in Jaipur where its members were seen flouting traffic norms, leading to a traffic jam, as police stood mute on the sidewalks
"Padmaavat" was not released in Madhya Pradesh, with theatre owners voicing security concerns. Cinema hall owners held talks with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and are hoping for a solution to the impasse.
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking action against Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana for disobeying court orders on screening the movie.
Theatres in the country's entertainment capital, Mumbai, were well-guarded by the police for the release of controversial drama.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had earlier said it would maintain a vigil outside cinemas where "Padmaavat" is screened.
Police vans were stationed outside several theatres, some of which did not flaunt the poster of "Padmaavat", which has courted protests in some parts of the country.
