Pathaan Release: Many Bajrang Dal members were detained on Wednesday for interfering with the Pathaan screening, which, in spite of controversy and boycott calls, had an excellent opening day at the box office. There was little use in protesting because Pathaan had already been released with Censor Board amendments, according to Madhya Pradesh’s home minister Narottam Mishra, who was among the first to urge for a boycott of the film’s Besharam Rang.

“I believe all rectifications have been made in it (film). The Censor Board has made corrections. Controversial words have been removed. So, I don’t see any point in protesting now,” the minister said as demonstrations were held in Madhya Pradesh against Pathaan.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the record box office opening of Pathaan sends the message that the nation will not be driven by hate or divisiveness. “No agenda-driven toxic boycott calls will work amongst the people. It is a true celebration of entertainment, cinema and Bollywood,” Chaturvedi wrote.

Congress leader Pawan Khera tweeted: “It is sad how this regime has divided a cinema-loving nation into camps where movies are watched (or not) based on the political camp it has been bucketed into!”

 Also Read: Pathaan high alert: “SRK called me”, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma assures control over protests

Politics over Pathaan

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on Wednesday warned the multiplex owners against shelving the screening of Marathi films in favour of Pathaan and said the first priority should be Marathi films. “The first priority in Maharashtra will be Marathi films and then films made in other languages. If Marathi film does not get a place in theatres, then the glasses of those theatres are more expensive, if they break, then it is not our responsibility,” MNS leader Ameya Khopkar said.

Pathaan screenings were interrupted in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana. The shredding of Pathaan release posters at INOX resulted in the arrest in Faridabad of nine Bajrang Dal employees. They also entered the room and yelled slogans, which caused a number of spectators to leave the theatre.

The VHP withdrew their objection against the film one day before its premiere. PM Modi indirectly addressed the topic and encouraged party members to refrain from making comments on movies and other media during the most recent national executive meeting of the party.