If the imbroglio is not resolved in two days, the exhibitors will go ahead with other films that are in queue.
If the imbroglio is not resolved in two days, the exhibitors will go ahead with other films that are in queue
Jumana Shah/Summit Khanna/Yashpal Parmar
AHMEDABAD/SURAT/VADODARA: Multiplex and cinema owners in Gujarat have decided that if a compromise is not reached with Aamir Khan before Friday, they will be move over Fanaa, as Bollywood is raring to go with several big releases.
“We will wait for not more than two days for the Fanaa controversy to end. We cannot continue waiting for long. Many other interesting movies are queuing up,” said Manubhai Patel, president of the Multiplex Association of Gujarat.
The forthcoming releases have got the cine-exhibitors in Gujarat excited about the business. “Movies like Phir Hera Pheri is releasing this Friday. Other big banner movies are Krrish and Chup Chup Ke, releasing next week. Fanaa is already stale and by next week it will be history. The movie was scheduled to be screened on at least two screens which are 500-seaters, in almost all multiplexes. It would have surely done good business for a couple of weeks, but not anymore,” said Patel.
The imbroglio over the release of Yash Raj’s latest in Gujarat worsened this week when Aamir Khan said he would not accede to the demand of BJP’s youth wing to apologise for supporting the Narmada Bachao Aandolan’s call for effective rehabilitation of the families affected by the Sardar Sarovar Project.
“Government may provide protection, but it won’t be effective if the public decide to cause damage. When theatres had to pull down Rang de Basanti mid-week and property was damaged, police was present right there but could make no difference. Security is definitely a concern,” said Chirag Shah, a senior official at a multiplex here.
Meanwhile, anti-Aamir protests in other parts of Gujarat are intensifying. An effigy of Khan was burnt in Surat on Wednesday with a crowd of around 200 people shouting slogans like ‘Aamir Khan Hai Hai’.
Aamir Khan was not the only target of protesters, as they even tore down advertising hoardings featuring Ajay Devgan and Kajol, saying if Bollywood can unite against Gujarat, Gujaratis can also take the film industry and personalities to task. “Our demonstration is to show Bollywood that people of Gujarat are tolerant, but they will not tolerate insults,” said Chhagan Patel, a protester.
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