Undeterred by threats, moviegoers in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh line up to watch 'Padmaavat'

Controversial film 'Padmaavat' released today in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, amid tight security arrangements. Fearing ransacking of their properties by hooligans, cinema and multiplex owners at some places including Sonipat, Yamunanagar, Panchkula, Sirsa, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Fatehabad in Haryana refused to screen the period drama.

Police officials claimed that the situation remained peaceful. Heavy police force was deployed outside the cinemas and theatres across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to thwart any attempt by protesters to disturb peace.Undeterred by the threat calls given by protesters led by organisations like the Shree Rajput Karni Sena and Rajput Youth Brigade, moviegoers at many places in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana went to cinemas and multiplexes to watch the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.

However, the film 'Padmaavat' was not screened at all in Yamunanagar district of Haryana even as the situation remained under control. Two theatres - Uppal and Dimple - in Yamunanagar refused to screen the movie despite being assured by the district police that adequate security arrangements would be provided to them.

The movie is not being screened in two malls in Yamunanagar, said Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kalia. He added that the police had made adequate security arrangements and was keeping an eye on anti social elements.

In Sonipat also the police said sufficient security arrangements have been made outside cinemas and multiplexes. "Situation is completely peaceful in Sonipat," said SP Satender Kumar Gupta. He denied reports that protesters had stopped the movie in one of the cinemas in Sonipat.

Meanwhile, Punjab Police thwarted an attempt by a group of persons who tried to hold a protest outside a mall in Zirakpur in Punjab, about 15 km from Chandigarh. Heavy security arrangements were made outside cinema halls and multiplexes in Ludhiana, Amritsar and Patiala.

Even as filmgoers were excited about watching the controversial film, many multiplexes and cinema halls refrained from screening the movie apprehending law and order problems. The film was released amid high security in places like Amritsar, Ferozepur, Bathinda, Moga, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Mohali, Gurgaon, Sonipat and Nuh, reports said.

Sudhir, a film buff, said "there is no point protesting against the film...There are other issues in the society on which people can protest." At multiplexes in Chandigarh there was a long queue of people keen to watch the film."No matter who is protesting against the film I will watch it," Pankaj, who along with his family turned at a multiplex at Mohali said.

Fringe elements had warned cinema hall owners against screening 'Padmaavat. They had claimed that the movie distorted historical facts and portrayed legendary queen Rani Padmavati in a "poor light".