Now, VHP disrupts MNIK's release in Gujarat

Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists on Friday tore down the posters of Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'My Name is Khan' and caused ruckus in a bid to halt the release of the film in Ahmedabad and Jamnagar in Gujarat.

The VHP on Wednesday had backed the Shiv Sena's protest against Shah Rukh Khan, saying there was 'nothing wrong' in it as the country is not prepared to tolerate a 'Pakistani sympathiser.'

VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia, however, opposed Sena's 'Mumbai for Marathis' campaign.

Meanewhile, multiplex owners in Mumbai are meeting on Friday to take a final call on the release of MNIK after Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt its screening, protesting the actor's remarks favouring inclusion of Pakistani players in Indian Premier League-3.

Girish Wankhede, senior VP (Corporate communications) Cinemax told PTI that multiplex owners will meet to take a decision on the release.

However, several single screens have decided against the release till the issue is resolved between the Sena and the actor.

Yesterday, multiplex owners had said that they were yet undecided on the release and were reviewing the security situation constantly.

"Release at this juncture is risky. Our patrons would not like to come to watch a film where police-Shiv Sena stand off was likely," a Fun Cinema official had said.

Over 1800 Sena activists, including functionaries, have been arrested in the last three days to thwart protests by the Sena, which is demanding Shah Rukh apologise for his remarks favouring Pakistani players in IPL-3.