Mangaluru (The Telegraph): Dilwale returned to Mangalore today after being forced off screens because of protests by the Bajrang Dal against Shah Rukh Khan's comments on intolerance.
Three multiplexes fortified with police pickets ran four shows of the film and reported moderate collections. Several fans, many of whom had missed out when the film was pulled off just two days after its December 18 release, warmed up to the New Year gift.
Deepak Gangadhar, manager of PVR Cinemas at Forum Mall, saidtickets were sold out for the first three shows. "We have slated Dilwale for a week but might extend the run depending on the response."
Gangadhar said the police, who had promised protection, were manning all entry points. "There are plainclothes men inside too ."
Most screenings were cancelled from December 20 after Bajrang Dal activists demonstratedoutside theatres and their owners feared attacks. "We had to pull off the movie and refund all (advance) tickets as we didn't want trouble," said Gangadhar, conceding he felt safe now with the police deployment.
Sadashiv Puthran, manager of Big Cinemas at Bharat Mall, had seen Bajrang Dal activists tear down posters and banners of the film after its release. Today, he rued the lack of response. "Ticket sales are bad today. But I think it might pick up as more fans come to know (about the resumption)," Puthran said, hoping the tempo would pick up for the Shah Rukh-Kajol romantic thriller in a week.
Puthran pointed out that "Mangalore has a huge number of Shah Rukh fans". "I think it will do better than in most places." Another reason could be Rohit Shetty, the Dilwale director whose family traces its roots to Mangalore, as do other Bollywood stars such as Aishwarya Rai and Shilpa Shetty.
"We are ready to give protection to give any theatre that wants to run the movie," DCP Shantharaju said.
