Padmaavat in Mumbai: Police heightens security, deploys personnel outside theatres
Police deployed outside PVR Cinemas in Sion (Courtesy: ANI)
Mumbai police has heightened security and is maintaining a strict vigil outside city theatres in the wake of possible protests from right-wing groups against the film Padmaavat, which is releasing across the country today.
The department is also actively responding to concerned citizens reaching out to them on social media, and assuring them about the implementation of adequate safety measures.
Mumbai Police on Twitter
The Supreme Court had last week paved the way for the nationwide release of Padmaavat, by staying the ban on its screening in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been facing protests by the Rajput organisation Karni Sena and other fringe groups over alleged distortion of historical facts.
On Wednesday, the city police took over 100 supporters of the Karni Sena into preventive custody as they gathered to hold protests against the film at various places.
As the Republic Day preparations are also going on in the country’s financial capital, the police have already issued a general alert and security personnel are on their toes to avoid any untoward incident.
The police force is geared up to take action against those who try to create a nuisance and take the law into their hands while protesting against the release of Padmavaat.
According to an official, besides providing security cover outside theatres, some police personnel may also be deployed inside cinema halls, wherever required, to prevent any untoward incident.
The makers of the film had recently approached the Mumbai Police requesting measures to ensure smooth release of the movie.
Meanwhile, the police also tightened security at the residences of Bhansali and the film’s lead actor, Deepika Padukone.
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Earlier this week, a group of protesters had torched tyres on the Sion-Panvel Highway and disrupted traffic movement on the Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Goa roads, following which Vashi police arrested 11 anti-Padmaavat protestors.
The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, is based on the saga of the 13th century battle between Maharaja Ratan Singh of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi.
