Fanaa, Da Vinci Code' release across India amid protests

New Delhi, May 26 (UNI) After courting controversy, albeit for different reasons, the 'Da Vinci Code' and the Aamir Khan Kajol-starrer 'Fanaa' finally released in theatres in India today to an excellent response, though protests and boycott continued to mar the films in several areas.

As was expected, the Hollywood film 'Da Vinci Code', which has been in the throes of controversy with Christian groups in India demanding a ban on it for a distorted portrayal of the religion, opened to an overwhelming response across the country.

Trade sources said the excitement around the film, specially among the "Hollywood-buffs", coupled with the controversy surrounding it had led cinegoers to turn out in droves to the theatres to watch the films, specially in cities and multiplexes.

For example, the PVR and other multiplexes in Delhi reported a huge rush for advance bookings for the film.

Sourav Verma, vice president of PVR cinemas that runs a chain of multiplexes across the city as well as in Gurgaon and Noida, said the response was overwhelming.

However, the response was lukewarm in several suburban multiplexes.

The film, which promotes the theory that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and started a bloodline, evoked a furore amongst a section of Christian leaders who demanded that it be banned.

Following this, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi had put its release on hold, even though the Censor Board had cleared it.

However, way was paved for release of the film after the producers, Sony Pictures, agreed to carry a disclaimer both at the beginning and at the end saying that all the characters and incidents portrayed and the names in it were fictitious.

It will run for 15 seconds each time on every print of the film.

The disclaimer notwithstanding, the film was not released in Punjab with the state government fearing protests from the Christiasn community. It has already been banned in Nagaland.

In Mumbai, section 144 of IPC has been invoked outside theatres screening 'The Da Vinci Code' in order to prevent assembly of protestors against the film. Christians protested against the film for its alleged derogatory references to Jesus christ.

The Aamir Khan-starrer 'Fanaa', which has been in the throes of controversy due to Aamir Khan's espousal of the cause of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, also opened to an excellent response.

The film which opened all over the country except Gujarat, has opened to a smashing response, trade sources said.

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