SRK's pep talk to exhibitors carried the day for MNIK

Shah Rukh Khan’s pep talk to multiplex owners on Thursday night helped them overcome the jitters and release My Name Is Khan despite Shiv Sena’s threats to disrupt the screening.

Bollywood superstar’s persuasive skills were put to test during the 45-minute telephonic conversation he had with the exhibitors before they finally gave a thumbs up for the opening.

As anxious multiplex owners went into a huddle the night before the release to take a final call, Khan came on line from Berlin, where he was for the movie’s premiere, to address their security concerns. The phone was kept on speaker.

“Go ahead with the screening, I will take care of your losses,” Khan said reassuringly, according to one of the exhibitors who was present. The superstar also argued with them to trust the government and Chief Minister Ashok Chavan who had promised adequate protection for smooth opening of the movie. “We were not concerned about the losses. Our only concern was the safety and security of audiences and staff,” said Chief Operating Officer of Fun Cinemas Vishal Kapoor. “Keeping in mind those concerns after our talk with SRK we decided to go for a limited release,” he said.

Though the film was initially released only in 13 theatres after the morning shows were cancelled, the number swelled up to around 40 by night owing to an overwhelming response from the public.

My Name Is Khan released in Pune

Cinema houses including multiplexes in Pune today released Shah Rukh-starrer My Name is Khan after its successful screening in Mumbai.

The decision to go ahead with screening of MNIK was taken at a meeting of theatre owners who had refrained from releasing the movie in the city yesterday.

A heavy ‘police bandobast’ was in placed at various cinema halls that decided to show the Karan Johar film. A steady stream of cinegoers was seen at the theatres after bookings of the film opened for the afternoon show. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe appealed to theater owners and citizens not to pay any heed to the threats issued by Shiv Sena against screening the film.