Congress supporters greet movie-goers with roses in Ranchi. (Prashant Mitra)

Ranchi, Feb. 12: If Mumbai snubbed Shiv Sena and ensured that Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name Is Khan ran to packed houses, Ranchi — almost taking a leaf out of the gandhigiri guide — said it with flowers.

As scores of film buffs and SRK fans thronged Sujata miniplex, screening the movie fondly nicknamed MNIK, Congress workers greeted them with roses, a gesture to cock a snook at the Sena fiat — and, perhaps, a sweet revenge for Bal Thackeray’s recent tirade against Gandhi-Nehru scion Rahul.

In Hazaribagh, Laxmi multiplex at Lepo Road, too, gave a fitting reply to the Sena campaign against the film. People arrived in droves and the movie ran to a full house on its first day.

Local Congress leader Ajay Rai headed the rose brigade in Ranchi. Visibly buoyed over their success, Rai said that all SRK movies were popular and MNIK was no exception.

“We decided to promote the movie because we believe that no one should oppose freedom of speech and expression. We live in a democracy and no party can usurp rights of citizens like this,” he said. The Shiv Sena, he maintained, had created a bad image for itself. “Its leaders have made the issue very personal.”

The SRK magic drowned Sena threat across the capital. Three cinemas — Eylex, Sujata miniplex, Plaza — were packed with fans in every show. The day being a holiday in some schools and institutions added to the fervour, as mostly youngsters thronged cinemas.

Sujata manager B.K. Singh said that though they were apprehensive of vandalism by Sena supporters, there was no untoward incident. “MNIK did great on the first day and will draw more crowds in the coming week,” Singh said.

Shah Rukh ‘Rizwan’ Khan plays a Muslim with Asperger syndrome, a rare form of autism, and is married to Mandira (Kajol). The movie revolves around their relationship as they settle in San Francisco and how they are torn apart after the 9/11 terror attacks.

Vibhore Sarawgi, a management student of XISS who saw the movie at Sujata, said: “We came early to get the tickets. The queue was exceptionally long. It was also nice to be welcomed with roses.”

The film received overwhelming support from members of the minority community, who came in large numbers to see their favourite actors. Vicky, a movie buff at Plaza, said: “SRK rocks. His movie is bound to do well, whether some people want it to or not.”

(With inputs from Vishvendu Jaipuriar in Hazaribagh)