Padmaavat opens in Mumbai amid tight security; no disruptions so far

Police presence at all theatres playing the movie; theatres post their own security staff too

Amid heavy police security, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s controversial movie ‘Padmaavat’ released on Thursday in theatres across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai.

Police personnel at Malhar cinema in Thane on Thursday. (Praful Gangurde)

Deepak Devraj, spokesperson for the Mumbai police, said that there had been no untoward incidents of violence and protests in the city till the afternoon. “Every police station has deployed personnel at every theatre playing the movie in their jurisdiction,” Devraj said.

To prevent disruptions and violence, the city police on Wednesday took 150 suspected trouble-makers, mostly activists of Karni Sena, into preventive custody as there were paid previews being shown in many multiplexes in Mumbai.

Tight security at Movie Time theatre in Dahisar on Thursday as ‘Padmaavat’ releases. (Pramod Thakur/ HT Photo)

Many multiplexes have also deployed their own security along with police personnel as a precautionary measure. Police officials have been posted not just outside the theatres, but inside the movie halls as well.

Police officials also said their cyber cell has blocked several social media pages and sites with objectionable and provocative remarks against the film. “Any person or organisation damaging public property will be made to pay for the damages,” Devraj said.

Republic Day leaves of police officials have been cancelled to meet security arrangements.