Padmaavat out, protests continue

Many cinema halls abandoned plans to screen Padmaavat that released on Thursday, amidst violent protests across states by Rajput organisations protesting alleged distortion of history. The Multiplex Association of India said the film would not be screened in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa. The Supreme Court will, on January 29, hear a contempt petition against Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana for not taking steps to control protests over the movie.

A local Haryana Court sent 11 people to 14 days of judicial custody for attacking a school bus and torching a state bus in Gurugram. Seven other protestors, who are juvenile, will be produced before the juvenile court.

States cannot block Padmaavat, the Supreme Court had ruled on Tuesday, clearing the movie's pan-India release on Thursday by rejecting Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh's petitions for a ban.

The court also chided the two states for failing to ensure law and order. The two states had urged the court to modify its earlier order that had stopped states from blocking the film's screening.

In Rajasthan, roads were blocked and shops vandalised. Theatre owners refused to screen the film.

Most theatre owners in Bihar refrained from screening the movie on Thursday as protests continued across the state despite the government's assurance of security.

In Muzaffarpur and Supaul, protesters wielded swords. Roads were blocked in Sheikhpura, Bhojpur, Patna and Muzaffarpur. Demonstrations were witnessed in Munger, Katihar, Samastipur, Banka, Gaya and East Champaran.

In CM Nitish Kumar's home district Nalanda, 'Kisan cinema hall-Biharsharif' was among the few that screened the movie but earned the wrath of protesters.

The Delhi High Court rejected on Thursday a plea by a Rajasthan-based group seeking quashing of the certification granted to Padmaavat, saying the Supreme Court has permitted its release.

A man on tried to self immolate outside a cinema hall in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi in protest against the release of the film. He was later detained by the police.

Initial reports suggested good business for the film. While the occupancy in Delhi was around 60 to 70 pre cent for the first show at 9 am, in Mumbai it was lower at 40-45 per cent. Shows later in the day, including late night, were almost packed.

Groups critical of the film have accused its director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, of portraying a Muslim ruler as the "lover" of the Hindu Queen Padmavati of the Rajput warrior clan. The filmmakers deny the accusation.