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In all, 30 of the 60 multiplexes and 36 single screens were to show the film. All but four single-screen cinemas have backed out, sending a strong message that the intimidatory tactics of the Sena will not work.
Amid the cloud of uncertainty, six multiplexes and four single screen cinemas cancelled the morning shows but went ahead with post-noon shows following an overwhelming public response.
Making a political statement, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil and Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe went for the opening show.
With the "House Full" sign, actors Kabir Bedi and Pooja Bedi had to go back without watching the movie.
The police arrested 24 Shiv Sainiks who protested outside Fun Cinemas in Chembur.
Notwithstanding the Maharashtra government's reassurance about adequate security at all cinemas, theatre-owners had voiced their concerns over possible attacks by Sena activists threatened to disrupt screenings unless Khan apologised for supporting inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the IPL.
Khan' who returns to Mumbai tomorrow from Berlin, tweeted, "yipppeee !!!! ...in my work or words, I wholeheartedly regret...and i love u very very very very much.
thank u thank u thank u (sic)."
"today i feel i will stand by with even more strength for all that stands for being indian & my country. i love india & indians. i love mumbai & mumbaikers & once again reiterate i sincerely from the bottom of heart regret having hurt so many (sic)," Khan added.
Filmmaker Johar also took to the Twittet to thank the public for coming out to watch the movie despite Sena threat.
"Am overwhelmed and moved to tears with all the support our labour of love is getting...thank you...," filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted.
In a massive security bandobast rare for a film, CCTV cameras with night vision were installed inside some of the cinema halls and policemen in large numbers were deployed.
Security personnel at cinema halls have been told to frisk every ticket-holder and check their bags as they enter the cinema.
Over 1800 Sena activists were arrested by the Mumbai police to ensure the smooth release of the film.
'MNIK' is the story of Rizwan Khan (SRK), a man suffering from Asperger's Syndrome, who is mistaken for a terrorist in post 9/11 America and undertakes a long journey across the US to prove his innocence to the love of his life, played by Kajol.
It is the first major Bollywood movie to be picked up by an international production house Fox Searchlight for overseas distribution. Fox reportedly bought the movie rights for a whopping Rs 100 crores.
'MNIK' opens to packed theatres across country
'My Name Is Khan' had a smooth opening across the country. The film opened to full houses in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and several other cities.
"Post noon shows were all sold out in our theatres in Delhi. We are booked till Sunday," Jayendra Banerjee, Vice President Satyam Cineplexes said.
"Some 75 screens in Delhi and NCR are screening the movie. The film has also benefited from the Shivratri holiday today. On an average multiplexes are running 11 to 12 shows a day," a distributor said.
In Gujarat, the first few shows were cancelled after VHP and Bajarang Dal activists staged protests and torched posters of the movie.
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This a Drama staged by Maharashtra government with the help of its stooges and agents in Bollywood and up to some extent with close assistance of media in projecting the MKIK has successful opening. The fact of the matter is that peace loving people won't go to cinema in a situation like this. It is a totally propaganda of the government that houses are full, but with who? Folks from Congress, NCP, ministers and their families besides government stooges and police personnel. Nevertheless, the issue was what SRK has said about PAK cricketers and that issue hs been successfuly given twist by government and it's stooges. SS has never said that MKIK is bad or obscene etc. SS is protesting against films becoz it is SRK starrer and SRK has hurt feelings of millions. A day before SRK was saying that he has said nothing wrong, then why yesterday he has apologized the nation on his Twitter? Had SRK said so earlier, Mumbai's peace would not have been disturbed. SRK & Government is culprit not SS
CONGRATS SRK U ROCK.....we all r wid u..nd pray to god tht ths mve wll shure give a gr8 sucess.those people who try banned ur mve they all r jls wid bcoz u r a gr8 super star...u knw bhind evry sucssful prsn thr no of r lys...so dnt wry.inshah allah ur mve sure mke the new rcrd nd brk he rcrd of othr mve...
WELL, IT IS SRK AND KARAN JOHAR WHO HAVE THE LAST LAUGH. THEY COULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT SUCH PUBLICITY IF IF THEY TRIED. SS HAS PROVIDED THEM A GOOD PLATFORM FOR MAKING THE FILM A HIT. ALSO, IT WAS A GAMBLE OF DEFYING THE SS BUT I AM GLAD THAT SS IS DEFEATED. IT WILL TAKE SS SOME TIME TO UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER A VIABLE FORCE (GOONDA FORCE, THAT IS) IN MAHARASHTRA AND ESPECIALLY BOMBAY!
SRK is another crook who will go down to any level to earn money and satisfy his ego.He doesn't know acting so he knows to play minority card .Hindu bashing has becoming a style nowadays.Pakisthan never allows our artists and player in to perform in their country and their are pseudo seculars in our country who are spineless and can't stand for Nation.The whole govt machinery and media is singing to SRK tunes.May be there is a deal between him and congress.
Indians have become self contained and selfish. Looks like no one is patriot.
People are finding it increasingly difficult to get food and water. These are what people should now unitedly fight for. Some shady political parties, in order to divert their attention, are raking up divisive non-issues
I am from chennai and don't use to see Hindhi movies. I am going to watch this film.
The issue is not MNIK, the issue is what SRK has said about inclusion of PAK cricketers in IPL. If you are not hurt with such remarks, nobody is stopping you from going to see MNIK. Shiv Sena's protest is not against MNIK but against SRK. Since SRK starred in this film therefore the protest.
its really hrtin 2 c pple bhv lk this.wats the issue all about?ok terrorists were from pakistan but does it mean all the pakistanis are terrorists?few days bak 5 americans were caught when they wanted to take part in jihad?how do u explain this?ok where were all the shiv sena netas with their shiv sainiks during the mumbai terror attack?the rule here is very simple one who has the power would dominate anyone and the moment one protests theres a prob.good.why cant we just come out of this thinking that if one person is a criminal then the whole community or the country cant be blamed for that.if u have so much anger then y not go and ask our politicians y r they buying things that are of no use?y is the half country hungry when they r going for a vacation in the states?y were the sena leaders quite when RGV went to TAJ?may be coz he is their blue eyed boy....... probably that RGV act was worst if am not wrong....
Actually lets not talk about the indian issues. srk created the issue of pak players whom it didnt bid why? He is a 2 sided person he his opinion is right he shd hv selected paks players. This is the cause of the issue lets stick to it and pin srk
...in Gujarat,or Bachchans were targeted by MNS? Where was the noisome Delhi media then? Did he utter a single word after 26/11,given his penchant for shooting his mouth on the slightest pretext? Did he,himself,take a pakistani player in his team to fill a vacant slot? Then why give sanctimonious sermons to others? Just to show off how nice,decent,liberal and great human-being he is? This sham would not fool anybody except the juveniles or thoughtless,and wouldn't be supported by any right thinking person except Delhi media and the bogus intellectuals.But calling him a traitor for what he said,maybe,with a sense of self-importance,or hounding him is taking it a little too far.This entire episode has become so sickeningly tiresome that sooner it ends better it is. One question pops in the mind though.Are we an utterly mediocre society that our icons come from the persons who either can swing their bats in front of the stumps or swing their bums around the trees in films?
...in Gujarat,or Bachchans were targeted by MNS? Where was the noisome Delhi media then? Did he utter a single word after 26/11,given his penchant for shooting his mouth on the slightest pretext? Did he,himself,take a pakistani player in his team to fill a vacant slot? Then why give sanctimonious sermons to others? Just to show off how nice,decent,liberal and great human-being he is? This sham would not fool anybody except the juveniles or thoughtless,and wouldn't be supported by any right thinking person except Delhi media and the bogus intellectuals.But calling him a traitor for what he said,maybe,with a sense of self-importance,or hounding him is taking it a little too far.This entire episode has become so sickeningly tiresome that sooner it ends better it is. One question pops in the mind though.Are we an utterly mediocre society that our icons come from the persons who either can swing their bats in front of the stumps or swing their bums around the trees in films?
After experiencing madeness of coward people of India that we lost self respect and patroism, we stupid forget that there were 66 blast in Hindustan in last six years carried by support of pakistan, no one is brought to justice.Even 1992 Mumbai blast culprits are not yet punished.Knowing all that Mr. Shah rukh has favoured PAK team for IPL.Really we people slave 100%.We could have opposed his film but didn't. We people are deserve to die like those who died in bomb blast across hindustan. Vane mataram.
yes Mr.Jaganharu, we indian have become so immune & selfish there is no national unity or pride left i guess. That the reason still some indian want to see srks movie. I can guarantee even if india is in war some indian would keep watching cricket & srks movies . We have already proved even in paks issue how divided we are . Comon indian brother & sister have to balls & guts to stand united when its come to indian cause against pak we have to boycotts paks . Come what may the paks will never become our good neighbours. PPl like srk are nothing say no to these kind of double mindd ppl
Shiv Sena & everybody should also raise voice against Home Minister P.Chidambaram & Amitabh bcz they have also supported for pakistani player but people have forgotten their statement. Why shiv sena is targetting only SRK. bcz of politics or it means anything else......why they r biased.
Its just a film MNIK see in that sense dnt make it as a big issues sure this film will be a big hit around the world i am in Brunei Darussalam now. SRK DOING WELL GOD BLESS HIM.
After experiencing madeness of coward people of India that we lost self respect and patroism, we stupid forget that there were 66 blast in Hindustan in last six years carried by support of pakistan, no one is brought to justice.Even 1992 Mumbai blast culprits are not yet punished.Knowing all that Mr. Shah rukh has favoured PAK team for IPL.Really we people slave 100%.We could have opposed his film but didn't. We people are deserve to die like those who died in bomb blast across hindustan. Vane mataram.
this is the real message of the film,what you didn't get...why to punish those people who dint commit the crime....like muslims in America...good people from PAK (pakistani players are not terrorists)..every religion,every country, every society,both sex(male and female) have both kind of people,good and bad.do you think shiv sena is doing good? ...dividing north indians and marathi people..they are hindus...message of the movie was you can win only with the love not hate....jaganharu u call u indian you can't even write "VANDE MATARAM" clearly...
i do not support the means of shivsainik or any other groups, but at the same time i suspect the timing of srk`s statement. he knew this is coming, he took the gamble of free publicity with well planned understanding with media. i personally feel, there is no need of any sort of relationship with pak, apart from govt inititaives. cricketers , artists, just do ur business, dont want any brotherwood with pak, we have 130 crores people with in us, you can select them for ur brothers and sisters, irresepective of religion , cast and creed. stop aiming for all the awards, and be honest. u ppl playing or participating with pak , with any sort of activities, is not going to change the mind set of pakis, they are destined for terror, violence, etc. we indians shall be to ourselves and just ignore these pakis
Hello, Think in common,do we need this movie; through this movie in to dustbin. This is national shame, here also congress is making votebank politics. CM of a state is taking measures to screen this movie, joke of the India, conclusion of the story is we are all ruled by some cartoons called UPA. Still people have voted for this congress. As I have seen in the recent times, common people are very much affected by his ruling govt, people also started to think more abt the this idiotic govt. This is high time UPA get their things better and sold out media to congress act responsible.first of all you are not supported by any educated class and youngsters, next time iam sure you'll be out without any trace.
u f00l, this is not about a movie but about freedom of ordinary people in india. Are u willing to be ruled by g00ndas like Shiv sena? Where is law in india? The film become a superhit despite sens threat proves there is still hope for a civilized india...
This is not a question of attack on Khan or not . Its a question of stopping a few people from forcefully imposing their agenda on others by violent means . Khan is a citizen like Thakeray . Thakeray is just another citizen like Khan .One must stop these nonsense at some point of time . Thakery doestn own marathi or mumbai . If he is breaking the rule of the land the goverment should arrest him and punish immedialty . Why the immuntity provided to him ?
After witnessing the extra-hype created (on TV Channels), pre and post 12/02, one cannot but wish away the fact that this might perhaps be the well orchestrated mega drama of the decade in filmdom! Anyhow, all is well that ends well and there is cash in the till.
All the drama enacted before the release of MNIK film spins arround the money minting. The cricketers, the Bollywood and the underworld have the nexus. Indian intelligence agencies must keep a close watch on the movements of the active player Siot Sunderbani Jammu.
When will Bollywood make movies on 9/11, 7/7, 26/11....? I do not want to watch glorified fiction like MNIK which does not name the real culprits of terror.
It is a sad day for India that the entire might of the Government of Maharashtra and it police force could only ensure release of a movie, in a handful of theater as against the original 63 exhibitors who were to screen MNIK. The political muscle flexing should shame us all the more. Our governments are incapable of thinking rationally, devising means and actions which ensure near normal life for all. Watching a movie in a fortress cannot be enjoyable, watching protesters being brutally beaten by the police should actually make us introspect about our insensitivity and callousness. No movie is worth watching, which brings pain to others. One political party will gloat the media will go ballistic. Yet the hard fact is Indians and India has lost yet again today.
SRK is one of worst guy why the whole congress is supporting him , how much money he has given . In this country always evil wins. the whole state force is busy in saving one movie for one cheap guy. He is one cheap guy who dances for money lives for money there is nothing in his heart for the pain faced by 26/11 attack.
In the name of pseudo secularism and twisted appeasement,the fascists have resorted to hamfisting human rights and freedom to dissent. Lickers of some sort have lost their self respect and their goolies, traitors
After experiencing madeness of coward people of India that we lost self respect and patroism, we stupid forget that there were 66 blast in Hindustan in last six years carried by support of pakistan, no one is brought to justice.Even 1992 Mumbai blast culprits are not yet punished.Knowing all that, Mr. Shah rukh has favoured PAK team for IPL.Really we people slave 100%.We could have opposed his film but didn't. We people are deserve to die like those who died in bomb blast across hindustan. Vane mataram
Shiv Sena & everybody should also raise voice against Home Minister P.Chidambaram & Amitabh bcz they have also supported for pakistani player but people have forgotten their statement. Why shiv sena is targetting only SRK. bcz of politics or it means anything else......why they r biased.
Ok going by the majority response on this site,Sharukh is a traitor, desh drohi and Hindus are in danger because oh him and others like him (read psuedo secularist). Few points to ponder 1) Sharukh supported pakis players and hence by that logic is a traitor. 2) By that logic Amitabh is a bigger traitor since he did what Sharukh just "preached". Amitabh was here last nigh in delhi and he mingled, shared stage, laughed and even praised Pakis present there 3) Who are those who r going in droves to watch MNIK, of course not all of them can be muslims......since muslims constitue just 13% of population..........A large chunk of those who r dying to see the movie r Hindus...........
Sir sameer here its not the issue of hindu or muslim. The point is srk didnt bid fr any pak players more over no IPL franchise owner bided fr paks player either. So why did this irresponsible guy comment . This is only the point . And to prove he is hungry fr publicity who is he to comment on USA security ? Dear friend it happens only in india that these kind of ppl take advantage of democrazy . Can any talk like this in pak? Srk would be shot by now. We cannot be good friends with pakis for sure but we are only trying. Which weill never happen bec the other side is a different country.
my name is khan is not so importent to than food & shelter , it most importent issue to potest life of our fafme, minap