The Hindu : National : Amid protests and ban, the show goes on

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Saturday, May 27, 2006

National

National

Amid protests and ban, the show goes on

After a great deal of controversy, it's an eventful Friday as "Fanaa" and "The Da Vinci Code" hit the screen

NEW DELHI: Amid protests and ban, the much talked about Aamir Khan-starrer ``Fanaa'' and the controversial Hollywood blockbuster ``The Da Vinci Code'' hit the cinema halls in most parts of the country on Friday.

``Fanaa'' remained off the theatres in Gujarat in the wake of the hall owners' refusal to screen the film fearing violence and protests by BJP youth workers angered by Aamir Khan's stand on the Narmada dam, especially after the actor ruled out going back on his support for those uprooted by the controversial project.

"The Da Vinci Code", in which portrayal of Jesus as a married man drew sharp reactions from Catholic Christian groups, was not released in Goa and Nagaland with their sizable populations of Catholic Christians as also in Punjab where screening of the movie has been banned by the State Government.

Besides other metros, the Hollywood film opened in Kolkata and Christians chose to bury their initial belligerence following the addition of a 15-second disclaimer. Theatres owners were happy with the audience response to the film based on the all-time bestseller by Dan Brown.

In Jabalpur, two shows of ``Fanaa'' had to be suspended following protests by BJP workers and in Varanasi BJP and Shiv Sena activists burnt posters showing Aamir Khan and "Fanaa" outside a theatre and unsuccessfully tried to disrupt its screening. In Gujarat, the BJP's youth front spearheaded the protest against ``Fanaa'' and decided to urge the people of the State to stop using products endorsed by Aamir Khan if he failed to apologise for his stand on the Sardar Sarovar dam issue.

Minister to talk to officials

In the Capital, concerned over protests in Gujarat and elsewhere against ``Fanaa'', Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said he would hold consultations with ministry officials on Saturday. "I have called the Secretary (I&B Ministry Secretary) tomorrow to have an idea on the issue. There are protests and I will have to enquire before giving any statement,'' Mr. Dasmunsi told reporters. - PTI.

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