Ignoring Shiv Sena, many more Mumbai theatres screen 'MNIK'

Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Enthused by the huge public response, Mumbai theatre owners pushed aside their fears of belligerent Shiv Sainiks to screen Shah Rukh Khan's 'My Name is Khan' Saturday, a day after only a handful of halls released the film.

On Friday, only 13 theatres had released the film, including six multiplexes and four single-screen halls. The movie was originally set to be released in 63 theatres.

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh's wife Gauri Khan is visiting two theatres in the city Saturday to speak to fans.

According to reports, Gauri is to visit the Imax theatres at Wadala, near Bandra, and the Metro theatre downtown.

No untoward situation was reported from theatres screening the film on Saturday, police said.

On Friday, thousands had thronged cinema halls to see 'My Name is Khan', giving the thumbs down to the Shiv Sena that called for its boycott to protest the Bollywood megastar's advocacy of Pakistani cricketers.

To prove a point, Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil and Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe had purchased tickets and watched the movie at INOX cinema in south Mumbai.