Fanaa not to be screened in Guj multiplexes

Ahmedabad, June 5: Gujarat Multiplex Owners Association (GMOA) today said they would not screen Aamir Khan's flim 'Fanaa' in the state, despite Supreme Court's observation while dismissing the petition of an NGO.

''Fanaa would not be released in the multiplexes of the state to express our solidarity with the sentiments of the people of Gujarat,'' GMOA president Manubhai Patel said while welcoming the apex court's decision of dismissing the petition.

Aamir Khan's involvement and comments on the Sardar Sarovar Dam issue had invited the wrath of Gujarat's polity resulting in his film being banned in the state.

Mr Patel also stated that the GMOA's decision on the controversy was not taken with a fear of hooligans at the cinema houses or by activists or workers of the political parties threatening to stall the proceedings, but to echo the feelings of people of Gujarat.

Mr Patel said, the multiplex owners in Gujarat have made losses of several crores because of the non-release of the movie in the state.

Gujarat BJP Yuva Morcha welcomed the Supreme Court's observation and dismissal of petition filed by noted filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt over controversy on banning of Aamir Khan starrer 'Fanaa' in multiplexes in Gujarat.

BJP Yuva Morcha's state president Amit Thakar told UNI that Supreme Court has echoed the feelings of the five crore Gujaratis, whose lives are attached with the Narmada dam project.

Mr Thakar said the decision of not releasing 'Fanaa' in the multiplexes in the state was of the Gujarat Multiplexes Owners Association (GMOA). The ruling BJP or its any wings, including Yuva Morcha, had never banned the movie. He said, Aamir should have realised before sitting on the side of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Medha Patkar and others that Narmada is the lifeline project for the poeple of Gujarat.

The actor should also keep in mind that he, Medha or few others are not just only the citizens of India but all those who are living in India, too, and they also have right to express their views and have equal weightage on the issues relating to the nation or its people.

The BJP youth leader also demanded that Aamir should apologise to the people of Gujarat for his anti-Gujarat actions and comments.

Aamir has been facing in Gujarat opposition following his support to the Narmada campaign leaders in April. Following this, some political workers allegedly attacked a cinema hall showing Aamir's movie 'Rang De Basanti' in Vadodara and forced the authorities to suspend the show.

The demonstration spread to many other parts of Gujarat. Effigies of the actor and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar were burnt. The cinema theatre owners in most parts of the state have suspended Aamir Khan's films apprehending disturbances last month.

Aamir's much-publicised strong stance in support of Narmada Bachao Andolan and statements against communal violence in Gujarat have also added to his appeal amongst the youth.

UNI