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This is an archive article published on October 4, 2023

Chennai: Police refuse to provide security for outdoor trailer launch event of Leo starring Vijay

Another issue that has been pointed out often by activists is the inability of theatre owners to control the crowd mainly comprising youths and teenagers.

Leo new posterNew poster of Vijay-starrer Leo.
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Chennai: Police refuse to provide security for outdoor trailer launch event of Leo starring Vijay
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The Koyambedu police have refused to provide security for the outdoor trailer launch event of a film, Leo, starring Vijay. The program was scheduled to be held in the car parking area of Rohini Silver Screens Thursday.

Speaking to indianexpress.com, a senior city police official said, “They (Rohini Silver Screens) had asked for permission to conduct the event in the open car-parking area. They will be screening the trailer on the big screen and there will be a massive gathering. It will not be possible for us to provide security for such a huge crowd. We have advised them to conduct the event inside their theatre complex for which we can deploy the requisite police personnel. We informed them that they could approach the city police commissioner if they still wish to conduct the event outdoors.”

In recent times, theatres like the Rohini Silver Screens in Chennai have been organising movie trailer launch events outdoors. Such events usually witness a large turnout leading to traffic congestion, especially in areas like Koyambedu which have wholesale markets and cater to a huge floating population.

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Another issue that has been pointed out often by activists is the inability of theatre owners to control the crowd mainly comprising youths and teenagers. The death of Bharath Kumar, 19, who died earlier this year after falling from a tanker during the screening of actor Ajith’s film Thunivu is a case in point.

Tamil film critic J Bismi welcomed the decision of the police but he noted that such a move should not be limited to the films of Vijay alone.

“This is a very good decision by the police. During these kinds of events where there is a large gathering of fans, there is a possibility of any untoward incident occurring. Moreover, whenever such events are organised, there is a huge traffic congestion…” he said.

“The police do not want to take chances on law and order issues taking lessons from the AR Rahman concert wherein problems arose owing to the circulation of fake passes. Since Vijay is anticipated to enter politics soon, there is a general perception among his fans that he is being targeted but that is not true,” Bismi added.

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Meanwhile, Revanth Chandran, the director of Rohini Silver Screens, took to social media platform X and noted that they are keeping hopes alive for an open trailer celebration.

Leo is set to hit the screens on October 19. The film has been directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and bankrolled by Seven Screen Studio.

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