Security beefed up in Punjab cinemas as 'Udta Punjab' released, 30 Shiv Sainiks taken into custody

Tight security arrangements were made at various places in Punjab as drug-themed film "Udta Punjab" released today even as 30 Shiv Sena (Hindustan) activists were taken into preventive custody in Ludhiana for trying to forcibly enter a mall where it was being screened.
Punjab Police said security was today beefed up at cinema halls and multiplexes, especially in malls at various cities including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar.
In Ludhiana, Shiv Sena (Hindustan) leader Rajiv Tandon demanded that the film should be banned because it was "defaming" Punjab.
The activists tried to forcibly enter Goverdan Mall in Ludhiana where the film was being screened. Heavy police force deployed there prevented them from entering.

Police said 30 activists were taken into preventive custody and released later.
At cinema halls in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and elsewhere in Punjab, heavy police force was deployed.

No other untoward incident has been reported from the state so far.
After being locked in a bitter censorship row, the drug-themed film "Udta Punjab" hit the screens as scheduled.
The Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh starrer that looks into how a large number of youth in Punjab have succumbed to drugs had also triggered a political slugfest and multiple legal battles.
In Chandigarh, the Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday dismissed two petitions filed against the film's release.