1200 Sainiks arrested: Is MNIK safe?

Never has a Bollywood movie in the recent past become a function of political ego. Shahrukh Khan's My Name Is Khan is turning out of one of the saddest chapters of Indian cinema. Never has a movie been released under the cover of so much security. Interestingly the Karan Johar directed movie which has a backdrop of terrorism is facing a terrorism of different kind from Shiv Sena which is going to the criminal extent in trying to disrupt it's screening.

In a major crackdown by the Mulbai police more that 1200 Shiv Sena activists were taken to custody yesterday ahead of the release of My Name Is Khan on Friday. While 955 of the Sainiks were taken into preventive custody the rest were arrested for different cases, including for protesting outside the theatres. This after Shiv Sena took offence from the fact that Shahrukh Khan had voiced his support for the Pakistani players in the IPL.

The 63 odd theatres across the city which are scheduled to screen the movie have been turned into fortresses with the police taking no chances. From security men at all the entrances to them being deployed inside the theatres, it is all happening in Mumbai. To further strengthen security, personnel from State Reserve Police Force and Home Guards will be deployed at the theatres across the city where the movie is scheduled to be released.

Advance booking for the movie have resumed after being halted at certain places due to Sena attacks. But the big questions that arises here is will all these measures ensure safety of the movie and the cine goers. Going by the kind of vandalism that the Sena has resorted to in the past the opening shows might not see house full in the 'Maximum City.' It remains to be seen weather My Name Is Khan will bow down to My Name is Thackrey.