Mumbai: A few theatres in Mumbai stopped shows of Aamir Khan starrer “PK” on Monday after threats from religious activists who allege that the movie insults Hindu gods and want it banned.

A theatre owner in south Mumbai’s Parel said he had no choice but to stop screening the film after being threatened by activists allegedly belonging to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad or VHP, an affiliate of the ruling BJP’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

“We are soft targets. Around 40 people came to the theatre and said stop the screening or we will ransack your building,” Punit Shah, the owner of Deepak Talkies, told NDTV.

There have been protests by religious groups in other cities like Ahmedabad and Bhopal.

In Ahmedabad, alleged activists of the Bajrang Dal ransacked two multiplexes, after which theatres in the city called for greater security.

Dozens of activists in Bhopal’s Jyoti Talkies and protested for half an hour.

The vandalism was condemned on social media even though opinion is sharply divided on the Raj Kumar Hirani film about an alien who exposes a self-styled godman.

Two rival hashtags – #BoycottPK and #WeSupportPK – are competing for attention on the micro-blogging site.

“This film is much more a general comment on how ppl chase religion for wrong reasons and not for spirituality,” tweeted Dilip Cherian.
PK, which released on December 19, has smashed several box-office records.
 
The Censor Board has refused to delete scenes from the film, saying “it’s already out for public viewing.”