'Fanaa' release in Jamnagar, cinema body firm on boycott

Ahmedabad, June 6 (UNI) The Gujarat Cinema Exhibitors' Association (GCEA) today decided to stick to its earlier decision of boycotting the Aamir Khan - starrer 'Fanaa' despite a theatre in Jamnagar going ahead with its screening under police protection.

''The theatre owner is not part of our Association and so we cannot force him to abide by our decisions. For the present, we will stand by our earlier decision and not show the film,'' Association president Harish Patel told UNI.

He said, ''As of now, this is our stand. We will hold a meeting later and take a collective decision.'' The film, which had an all-India release last month, was being boycotted by Gujarat exhibitors as remarks by actor Aamir Khan in support of Narmada Bachao Andolan and dam oustees rehabilitation issue had sparked off a furore in the state.

The Association and also the Multiplex Owners' Association had protested the actor's remarks, which they termed as ''anti-Gujarati.'' The film's release in Jamnagar came about after the Supreme Court yesterday observed that the Gujarat government should provide police protection to cinema owners, who were willing to exhibit the film.

Vimal Madaan, owner of Amber Cinema which showed the film today, said he was keen to screen 'Fanaa' as it was his business to show films.

''I have nothing to do with what the Association says or what views anybody (Aamir Khan) has about an issue,'' he told UNI over phone.

The film was screened this afternoon amid police bandobast at the theatre. Some 20-odd BJP workers had shouted anti-Aamir Khan slogans and tried to dissuade people from watching the movie, but left soon after, police said.

About the security measures, Deputy Superintendent of Police R M Pandey said two Police Inspectors and four Sub-Inspectors, apart from 30 constables, have been deployed at the theatre as part of the bandobast.

''We are taking all precautionary measures to ward-off any security problem,'' he added.

UNI MMG SSS MSJ RAI1918