With Aamir BJP146;s target, Gujarat multiplexes buckle, say no Fanaa

With the Gujarat BJP targeting actor Aamir Khan for criticising the Modi government over the Vadodara violence and backing the NBA stand on the Sardar Sarovar dam issue, multiplex owners in the state, fearing attacks, today decided not to screen the new Aamir starrer Fanaa which was to hit theatres this Friday.

Confirming the decision to shelve the screening, Manubhai S Patel, who heads the Multiplex Association of Gujarat, said 8220;22 members of our association met two days ago and reached a consensus8221;. He said some multiplexes had to stop the screening of Aamir8217;s Rang De Basanti midway following an agitation. 8220;We don8217;t want multiplexes to be damaged. Nor do we want moviegoers to be harassed,8221; he said.

Last week, state BJP leader Purushottam Rupala had demanded that Aamir 8220;apologise to the people of Gujarat.8221;

In Mumbai, director Kunal Kohli said: 8220;Gujarat theatre owners have been threatened not to show the film8230; In a democracy, is a man not entitled to his opinion? If they go ahead, we will decide what to do.8221;