'My name ...' opens to packed theatres across country

Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'My Name Is Khan' had a smooth opening today across the country with Mumbai restricting the number of shows following Shiv Sena threat.  

Ten multiplex owners in Mumbai decided to go ahead with the screening while the single screen theatres decided against showing the movie for the time being, fearing violence.  

Amid unprecedented security for the film's release, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil drove to multiplex INOX to catch the first show of 'MNIK'.  

Khan, who is in Berlin, tweeted early on Friday morning, "good m'ing mumbai. Wotever the fate of the film, never wished this upon the city that made my dreams come true & gave me all. I belong to u (sic)."  

In Gujarat, the first few shows were cancelled after VHP and Bajarang Dal activists staged protests and torched posters of the movie.  

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 told PTI.  

"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.  

The film's release ran into trouble after Sena lashed out at Khan for supporting inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL.