On Wednesday, many Bajrang Dal members were arrested for interfering with a Pathaan screening, which had a strong opening day at the box office despite controversy and boycott calls. Among the first to urge a boycott of Pathaan’s Besharam Rang, Madhya Pradesh’s home minister Narottam Mishra stated there was no use in objecting as Pathaan had already been published with Censor Board revisions. “I think all the corrections have been made to it” (film). Corrections have been made by the Censor Board. Unpopular phrases have been eliminated. Therefore, I don’t think there is any use in protesting right now,” the minister stated as Pathaan-related protests took place in Madhya Pradesh.
The record-breaking success of Pathaan at the box office, according to Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, conveys a message that the country will not be led by hatred or division. “No demands for a destructive boycott with an agenda will be accepted by the public. It is a genuine celebration of Bollywood, film, and entertainment “said Chaturvedi.
“It is terrible how this regime has divided a cinema-loving nation into camps where movies are watched (or not) based on the political camp it has been bucketed into,” tweeted Congress politician Pawan Khera.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena urged multiplex owners on Wednesday not to stop showing Marathi movies in favour of Pathaan and stated that Marathi movies should take precedence. “Marathi films will take precedence in Maharashtra, followed by films produced in other languages. The glasses in those theatres are more expensive if a Marathi film is not shown there, and if they shatter, we are not responsible “Ameya Khopkar, the MNS leader, stated.
Pathaan screenings were interrupted in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana. For tearing Pathaan posters at INOX, nine Bajrang Dal employees were arrested in Faridabad. They also entered the room and yelled slogans, which caused a number of spectators to leave the theatre.
The VHP withdrew their protest against the film one day before its premiere. PM Modi indirectly addressed the matter and encouraged party members to desist from making comments on movies, etc. at the most recent national executive meeting of the party.
