Padmaavat opens to a good response in Mumbai

While Gujarat and Rajasthan saw violent protests against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat a day before its release, in Mumbai the movie's paid preview was released on Wednesday evening with almost 70 per cent occupancy in cinema halls.

Apart from a few protests staged in Mumbai's western suburbs, there was no violence and the shows were peacefully. "We have taken all the security measures at the theatres, multiplexes, and malls that are screening the movie. No untoward incident has been reported during the paid preview show on Wednesday," said Deepak Devraj, Mumbai Police spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner of police (operation).

While the paid preview of the movie in 3D had an average of 70 per cent occupancy, advance booking for first show on Thursday has crossed 80 per cent in major theatres.

"Around 80-90 per cent tickets for the first shows in Maratha Mandir and G7 cinemas for Thursday are sold in advance," said Manoj Desai, Executive director of G7 cinemas and Maratha Mandir a single theatre in Dadar.

The Mumbai police had detained over 150 Karni Sena workers and supporters on Wednesday over protests against the movie.