Theatres dither on SRK film

The Maharashtra government suffered a jolt when the association of cinema hall owners announced that they would not be screening My Name is Khan on Friday — its intended date of release — due to the stringent Shiv Sena agitation against it. Throughout Thursday, the state egged them to reverse their decision.

“They should stand by what they want to do. They should release the film,” said the Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Chavan. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan who is currently in Berlin for the premiere of his film, tweeted. “My stardom is transient. My integrity in non-negotiable ...My being Indian unquestionable... Hope peace prevails.”

In an unexpected turn, the MNS chief, Mr Raj Thackeray, targeted his uncle’s party for its “double standards” in not attacking Amitabh Bachchan despite sharing a dais with a Pakistani artiste while pouring vitriol on Shah Rukh.