UP on high alert as cinemas screen 'Padmaavat'

Amid tight security arrangements, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmaavat' was today screened in many parts of Uttar Pradesh, with reports of sporadic violence and arrests from some districts.
Tension was palpable across cinema halls in the state, with armed policemen stationed at vantage points and fire tenders waiting in readiness in case of trouble.
The Deepika Padukone-Shahid Kapoor-Ranveer Singh starrer has been facing protests by the Karni Sena and other fringe groups over allegations that it distorts history and defames queen Padmavati.
The owner of a multiplex was beaten up by a group of activists opposing the screening of the in Sitapur. Sanjay Agarwal, who owns the SCM multiplex, was attacked by a group, police said. They also damaged his BMW car and abused him for screening the movie, they said.

Two activists were arrested in Gorakhpur for trying to disrupt a show at United Talkies.
Circle Office, Cant, Abhishek Singh said, "All over it was peaceful. Heavy police force has been deployed at the cinema hall. Two youths raised slogans against the screening of the movie were arrested."

United Talkies was the only cinema hall in Gorakhpur that screened the movie.
"We took the decision to screen the movie quite late so very few people came to know about it and the number of movie watchers was comparatively low. But the information spread, the number of tickets sold increased," manager of United Talkies Narendra Kumar Tiwari said.

In the first show, it was a mere 88 tickets and in the second show the number increased to 300 and in the third show it was around 400, he said.
Sandeep Singh a local Kshatriya leader, said, "We are against the screening of the movie but we can't disturb the law and order situation in city - the home turf of chief minister Yogi Adityanath."
"Two of our members tried to raise slogans against the screening but police arrested them. From tomorrow we will stage sit-in demonstration with black strip on our mouth and our protest will be non-violent," he said.

Senior cabinet minister and UP government spokesman Siddharth Nath Singh told reporters in Lucknow that no one will be allowed to resort to violence.
"Anyone taking law in his hands will be dealt with strictly. There is only one raj in UP and that is Yogi (Adityanath) raj, there will be no jungle raj," Singh said asked about the protests against Padmaavat.
In Lucknow, the film was screened at several theatres such as Novelty, Shubham and Pratibha though none of them reported 'House Full'.
"We expect a better turnout in the later shows. In the morning shows, the halls were not full because of two reasons - the cold, and fear in the minds of people that the halls may be attacked by fringe groups objecting to the movie," a hall manager said, requesting anonymity.

Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that BJP men were involved in the protests against the film. He held the saffron party responsible for the violence.
One one hand, they (BJP) are protesting, and on the other hand pretending to control the situation arising out of the protests, Yadav told reporters in Lucknow.
"Please go through the CCTV footage of protests in the state capital and you will know who are behind the protests," he said and blamed the BJP for "vitiating the atmosphere".
Heavy police deployment was seen outside halls screening the film.
"The security around cinema halls has been increased. We will not let anyone take law in their hand," a senior police official said. He said an alert had been sounded in the state and all district police chiefs asked to remain vigilant.

Forces are on standby to maintain law and order, he said.
Additional Director General (Law and Order) Anand Kumar has directed all district police chiefs to ensure that the force remains alert, especially at malls and cinema halls, with anti-riot gear.
"Enough police force should be kept in reserve so that it can be deployed when needed. Local intelligence units should also be alerted to keep an eye of unscrupulous elements so that effective timely action is taken," he said.
SHOs and senior officers were directed to patrol their areas and keep an eye on the situation.
"In view of (possible) dharnas, agitations, traffic jams, arson, all measures should be taken in advance and strict legal action should be initiated against those involved in such acts," he said.

Several activists staged protests outside two malls in Gomti Nagar area of the state capital. Police managed to control the situation and detained a few of them.
The Supreme Court paved the way for an all-India release on January 25 and stayed notifications and orders issued by Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat - all ruled by the BJP - prohibiting exhibition of the film.
The apex court had also restrained other states from issuing any notification or order banning the screening of the movie.