Shah Rukh Khan is prepared to make his long-awaited Pathaan film debut on the big screen after a four-year absence. The movie, one of Bollywood’s most anticipated releases, is predicted to light up the box office when it opens on January 25. The movie has been the subject of significant controversy in recent months, with some people calling for its boycott and outright banning. Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal has sent letters to Gujarati movie theatres advising them not to show Pathaan at their locations. In the midst of the protests the groups staged, some movie theatres also sustained damage. John Abraham and Deepika Padukone both play significant roles in the Yash Raj Films production.
Gujarat police would provide protection for Pathaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan.
The Multiplex Association of Gujarat issued a letter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Bhai Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi questioning security arrangements at movie theatres before to the premiere of Pathaan after observing the responses of the VHP and Bajrang Dal. And now, Pinkvilla has obtained exclusive information indicating that the Gujarati government has endorsed Pathaan and pledged to provide police security for the movie’s premiere during the Republic Day weekend. In a statement to Pinkvilla, Vandan Shah, the Secretary of the Gujarat Cinema Owner Association, verified the news, stating, “It was a terrific meeting with the Government authorities. To guarantee Pathaan’s January 25 premiere goes without a hitch, he has guaranteed police security at the theatres.
For the benefit of those who are uninformed, Gujarat VHP spokesperson Hitendrasinh Rajput had stated, “Gujarat would not approve the screening of Pathaan. The demonstration today in Ahmedabad against the movie’s distribution ought to act as a warning to all the state’s theatre owners. They must hold off on distributing the movie in their multiplexes or theatres.” The state’s cinema associations had requested assistance from the government in response to these remarks. The theatre owners requested government action in a letter written to the Chief Minister and the Home Minister.
As stated in the letter by the experts, “There are many groups that are illegally targeting movie theatre operators based on their own understanding and agendas by unlawfully threatening movie theatre operators with dire consequences in terms of safety and security of their property, staff, and moviegoers if certain movies are released. Therefore, we kindly ask for your full cooperation in defending our real estate and commercial interests.
Shah Rukh Khan’s My Name Is Khan was launched in 2010 under police protection in Mumbai after receiving threats from a number of Maharashtrian organisations. With Pathaan in 2023, history has been replayed, but this time in Gujarat.
