'Da Vinci Code' withdrawn in Goa

PANAJI: Apparently bowing to pressure from some quarters of forcibly stopping the screening of the controversial film 'The Da Vinci Code', a leading multiplex in the city on Sunday withdrew the movie from its theatres.

However, officials of the Inox Entertainment Limited, that has decided not to screen the film in the state, maintained that the decision was taken respecting public sentiments.

"We have withdrawn the movie from Goa. We will not screen it in the state. The decision was taken respecting the public sentiments," Snehal Chitneni, Head, Public Relations, Inox, said.

She, however, refused to comment whether the withdrawl followed a warning by south Goa MP Churchill Alemao to forcibly stop its screening.

Alemao on Saturday had issued a warning to Inox to withdraw the film or be ready to face public wrath. He had threatened to forcibly stop the shows of the movie, terming it as an insult to Christians.

Meanwhile, reacting to the withdrawal, Alemao said, "though Inox has withdrawn the film, we will hold our schedule meeting this morning near Panaji Church and decide our furher course of action."

He said that he had asked Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane to issue warning to Inox to stop the screening.

Inox management, however, clarified that they did not receive any communication from the state government on this issue.