Though delayed by a day,the multiplexes and single screen theatres in the city opened to a grand Saturday premiere of My Name Is Khan (MNIK). While many skipped the morning show as they were unable to take a decision,majority of the ones which screened MNIK opened with a response of 40-50 per cent that went up as the day advanced. We started with a show at 12.20 pm that was 50 per cent occupied. This happened primarily as we had not advertised and secondly because no one really knew when the screening would begin. As a result,the crowd was lesser in the mornings,but as the day progressed and people got to know the occupancy increased to 100 per cent, said Swanand Ayachit,manager,City Pride. While all the 17 theatres in the city that have started screening the film were given full police protection,the morning shows were dull compared to normal Saturdays primarily because majority of the film enthusiasts were reluctant to step out due to the Sena scare. We have screened three shows of MNIK and plan to increase the number to five Sunday onwards. But most of the visitors who have been coming are youngsters as families are not yet convinced about their safety, said M S Bhandare,manager,Rahul multiplex. Though the city recorded no incidents of destruction of property at theatres on Friday,a number of theatres preferred to take additional measures while beginning with the screening,some even went ahead with additional private security. After remaining closed on Friday,Westend opened the shows with a phenomenal security by 40 policemen and seven private security guards in addition to 20 staffers who had strict instructions of not remaining absent. Before starting the screening,we also called up other theatres as well as theatres in Mumbai and ensured that they too have started the screening, said Chandrakant Jamdade,manager,Westend. The online and telephonic booking facilities at Gold Big Cinemas also received a good response,Sandeep Shetty,manager,Gold Big Cinemas,said,The film is well accepted by the masses and we are hoping for a good collection for the days to come. While the viewers generated mixed reactions,many even tagged the response a result of the hyped up publicity the film has gained due to the ongoing dispute.
