Canadian theatre cancels screening of Kantara Chapter 1, Indian films after arson, violence

A film theatre in Canada's Ontario has stopped screening of Indian films, including Kantara Chapter 1 and They Call Him OG, after multiple cases of violence and arson.

By: Entertainment Desk

Bengaluru | October 3, 2025 11:58 AM IST

3 min read

Kantara, OG screening halted in Canadian theatre after arson

A movie theatre in Canada’s Oakville town has announced that it will be halting the screening of Indian films, including Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 and Pawan Kalyan’s They Call Him OG, after cases of arson and shooting on its premises. The theatre in Ontario province, Film.ca Cinemas, said the cases of violence were connected with the fact that it is screening South Asian films.

It reported that two persons tried to set fire to the theatre’s entrance using red gas cans on September 25. The fire caused damage to the exterior of the building but was contained in time and didn’t spread inside the cinema. The miscreants were caught on camera as they were seen pouring a liquid and setting it on fire before escaping. On October 2, a man fired multiple bullets through the theatre’s door before escaping.

Also read | Kantara Chapter 1 Collection, Review LIVE Updates: Rishab Shetty-starrer opens with Rs 60 crore, makes and breaks multiple records

No one was harmed as the theatre was closed at the time of both the incidents.

Canadian theatre violence: Watch how two persons tried to set fire to the theatre’s entrance

“This is not the first time we’ve faced vandalism and threats tied to the screening of Indian films. While these repeated acts are troubling, they will never deter us from providing a safe and welcoming place for our community to enjoy cinema together,” the cinema wrote on their X page.

Police said that they are investigating the crimes and said both were targeted against the theatre. While one of the suspects in the first incident was white, the man in the second incident was described as dark. They have released the description of suspects to the public.

Film.ca Cinemas CEO Jeff Knoll said in a video message, “The other day, somebody tried to burn the theatre down in a dispute with respect to us playing South Asian films. We want our community to feel safe. We didn’t miss a single show, and we remain committed to serving our audience.”

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