Bollywood cancels big events following Mumbai blasts

Mumbai, July 14 (IANS) Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani were ready with the first look of 'Don 2: The Chase Continues' and Mahesh Bhatt was set to celebrate the success of 'Murder 2' Wednesday evening, but the filmmakers cancelled their plans following three bomb blasts in Mumbai, which killed over 20 people.

The launch of the first look of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Don 2' was to be held 7.45 p.m. onwards at Cinemax, Andheri West, while the success party for Mohit Suri's directorial 'Murder 2' was scheduled for 9 p.m. at the J.W. Marriot hotel in Juhu.

The first blast took place at Zaveri Bazar at 6.59 p.m, followed by a second blast at Opera House at 7.05 p.m, and the final explosion took place at Dadar West at 7.17 p.m., causing panic and chaos in the city.

The incessant rains added to the dilemma of city dwellers.

However, a few print and electronic journalists had already gathered at Cinemax, Andheri West to catch a glimpse of 'Don 2', one of the most awaited movies this year.

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani was there too, but he approached the mediapersons, and said: 'Due to the blast, we have decided to call off the event.'

No further date for the event has been issued as yet.

The 'Murder 2' success party, which was expected to be attended by lead pair Emraan Hashmi and Jacqueline Fernandes, apart from director Mohit Suri, other crew members and celebrities from the film industry, was also cancelled as the news of the blasts flashed everywhere, and a high alert was issued.

In New Delhi, Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai requested officials of the French government to postpone an award ceremony where she was supposed to be honoured with a 'Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters'.

However, Aishwarya appeared before the media along with her actor-husband Abhishek Bachchan and observed a minute-long silence mourning the death of the people in the blasts.