The screening of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name is Khan was stopped in two major cities of Orissa following protest by the Bajrang Dal even as fans enjoyed the film amid tight security at other places.
As the screening of the film was about to begin, several activists of the Bajrang Dal and VHP burnt effigies of the Bollywood superstar and tore posters in front of cinema halls in Berhampur and Sambalpur, forcing theatres to shut down.
After the first two shows were cancelled, the film's screening, however, resumed in Berhampur later in the day.
In Sambalpur, all shows remained cancelled for the day. Bajrang Dal national co-convener Subhas Chouhan said, "If he (Khan) favours Pakistan, he should better go there."
The movie was released in 29 halls across the state, including three in Bhubaneswar. Police picked up around 25 Bajrang Dal activists while picketing in front of the three cinema halls.
The film, however, faced no problem in other major towns and movie goers were being thoroughly searched by security personnel at cinema halls and multiplexes. Khan was embroiled in a controversy after he favoured participation of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League.
