Fanaa Boycott : Gujarat Multiplexes

Friday, May 26, 2006

Gujarat ruling party BJP's Yuva Morcha has threatened theatre and mutiplex owners in Gujarat that any theatres screening Aamir Khan's latest film, 'Fanaa', slated for release on May 26, will "have to face the wrath of patriotic Gujaratis and the consequences could be dangerous".

The Morcha is seeking an apology from Aamir Khan if he wants Fanaa released in Gujarat, after he insulted the fifty million residents of Gujarat by supporting the Narmada Bachao Andolan, taking an anti-Gujarat stand. He also made some nasty comments about chief minister Narendra Modi.

There are 22 multiplexes and 350 theatres in Gujarat. This past Tuesday evening, the Multiplex Theatres Association officially decided to stay away from the 'Fanaa' screening. "We do not want to invite trouble. We have decided not to screen 'Fanaa', association president Manubhai Patel said. Even the Congress Party has decided to remain "neutral" on the issue and not involve itself.

Some of Aamir Khan's loyal fans vowed they would fly down to Mumbai to watch the film if they had to.