Screening of Article 15 stalled in Kanpur

Jha.Sumit@timesgroup.com
The screening of director Anubhav Sinha’s 'Article 15' has been suspended in Kanpur following protests by a religious group on Friday. On Friday afternoon, the group entered the Inox multiplex and stopped the screening of the film there as well as at Sapna Palace. They shouted slogans against the filmmaker and also tore posters of the film.
Anticipating more trouble, a few cinema halls and multiplexes in the city have put on hold the screening of the film till things are sorted out or more security is provided to the cinema halls in the city.
The Floor manager at Inox on thecondition of anonymity, shared, “Aaj 'Article 15' ka pehla show nahi chala tha. In fact, we have not screened any shows of the film owing to the protests and we will continue to not screen it because of security issues. However, the film is running peacefully in Lucknow and other near-by cities. I don’t think ab Kanpur mein hum movie chalayengey.”
Protestors stopped the screening of the film at Sapna Palace in Kanpur despite police presence (BCCL)
Protests outside the cinema hall in Kanpur (BCCL)
However, Cinemax screened the first show of 'Article 15' on Saturday. On the condition of anonymity a manager informs, “Till now we have had not received any instructions from the administration and our higher officials to stop the screening of the film. We are running the film as per schedule. If any problem arises, then we will stop its screening immediately.”
Anubhav Sinha, director Article 15 (BCCL)
“Itne virodh hone par koi film kaise chal sakti hai? Hum logo ne show ko beech mein hi rok diya aur audiences ke paise bhi wapas kar diye hain. Baaki ke shows aaj nahi chalenge. Kal agar administration suraksha deta hai toh shows chalaye jayenge,” said an employee of Sapna Palace, not wanting to be named.
However, city magistrate, Ravi Prakash, said, “Members of a community on Friday opposed the screening of the film Article 15. Seeing their agitation the administration decided to immediately stop the screening of the film. The demonstrators accused that the film is showing their community in bad light. To prevent the law and order situation from deteriorating further, the administration has advised not to screen further shows of the film today.”
Meanwhile, Anant Deo, SSP Kanpur, said, “Seeing Friday’s protest, I have briefed the circle officers to maintain law and order at multiplexes and cinema halls. Police teams have already been deputed so that no protest takes place at these places. Also, if any such protest happens, then the police will lodge an FIR against the protesters.”