Maharashtra CM, police chief assure proper security for 'MNIK'

Mumbai, Feb 9 (PTI) Facing Indian right-wing political
party Shiv Sena's threat ahead of the release of 'My Name Is
Khan', Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar Tuesday met Mumbai
Police Commissioner D Sivanandan, who assured him that
adequate security will be provided.

Chief Minister of India's western state of Maharashtra
Ashok Chavan also promised a smooth release of the Shah Rukh
Khan-Kajol starrer, set to hit theatres this Friday.
Notwithstanding Sena supremo Bal Thackeray stating
that the film's release will not be disrupted, movie posters
were removed at some places in the city.
The Sena had earlier threatened to stall the screening
of the film, protesting Khan's support for inclusion of
Pakistani players in the upcoming Indian Premier League.
Chavan said he had told the Police Commissioner to
ensure full proof security arrangements. "The distributors and
exhibitors are also in touch with me. We will see that the
film runs smoothly. There should not be any law and order
problem."
Johar, who has directed and co-produced the film with
Khan, met Sivanandan along with film's distributor, FOX
Searchlight and multiplex owners, to seek protection for the
audience and theatres screening the movie.
"Adequate security personnel will be deployed at
theatres where the film will be screened in the city. We have
assured full protection to the distributors, exhibitors and to
film maker Karan Johar," Joint Commissioner of Police Himanshu
Roy said.

"Their concern was that there were some moves by some
political parties suggesting ban on the film. They told us
that they have received some calls (threatening) in this
regard," Roy said.
If required, viewers might be asked to produce their
identity cards before entering the theatre, Roy said adding
that a final call in this regard will be taken later.
The 37-year-old Johar said he met the police chief to
get a personal assurance on the smooth release of his film.
"We came here to get a personal assurance on the
security concerns regarding the screening of the movie and the
police have assured us full security. The movie will be
released on the scheduled date and advance bookings are open
nationwide," he told reporters after the meeting.
'My Name Is Khan' centres around a Muslim man from
India with Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism). He falls
for Mandira (Kajol), a successful Hindu single mother but the
lives of this couple get impacted in the wake of the 9/11
terror attacks in the US.
Khan and Kajol, one of Bollywood's most successful
onscreen pair, have come together after a gap of eight years
in the film. They were last seen together in 'Kabhi Khushi
Kabhi Gham', also directed by Johar. PTI BHR
MYR