Two theatre owners held for fighting over screening of Fanna

Vadodara, July 15 (UNI) Police have arrested two Bodeli-based theatre owners for resorting to violence over alleged screening of Aamir Khan's film ''Fanaa'' which is facing a ban in Gujarat following the cine star's controversial stand on the Narmada Dam issue.

At least five people, including owners of the two laser theatres, were injured in the attack and counter attack launched by the supporters of the duo on each others theatres for secretely screening ''Fanaa''. Both the theatres had suffered damages to the tune of over Rs 3 lakh.

Bodeli town police yesterday, arrested the owner of Krishna theatre, Maganbhai Rupala and Balaji laser theatre owner Mahendrabhai Jotangi and his brother Sachin for being part of the mob attack on each others theatre.

The trio were taken into police custody today after they were discharged from the hospital, Bodeli police said, adding that three more accused in the case were absconding.

Although Fanaa was recently released across the country, Gujarat Theatre Owners' Association decided not to screen the film after the youth wings of both the BJP and the Congress parties and different youth organisations organised anti-Aamir and anti-Fanaa movement in different parts of the state.

After the Gujarat High Court gave its ruling on the release of Fanaa, only one theatre in Jamnagar, owned by a relative of the local Congress MP, dared to screen the film, but it was withdrawn immediately after a youth immolated himself inside the cinema hall protesting against Aamir Khan's alleged anti-Narmada dam stand.

UNI