About 20 Shiv Sena activists on Friday 11am came to a Hinoo multiplex in Ranchi, blackened Ae Dil Hai Mushkil posters and stopped the ongoing 9.10am show for about seven minutes, but left without causing any damage when policemen from Doranda thana reached the place.
The morning screening of the Karan Johar film, in the eye of a national storm for starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan ever since diplomatic ties between the two countries became tense, however continued at Fun Cinemas, Hinoo, without fuss.
"There were no major issues (related to protests). Such things happen. Everything became normal when cops and security guards intervened," said Fun Cinemas manager Vimal Kumar said.
This small glitch apart, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM), this year's big Diwali release with Ajay Devgn's Shivaay, directed by the action star himself, went by the script at all Ranchi cinema halls. Most girls chose the Ranbir-Anushka-Ash-Fawad romance of Ae Dil... while many boys went for Singham man Devgn's fights and fisticuffs.
Outside Carnival Cinemas in Ranchi, six college friends, two girls and four boys, tossed a coin to choose which new release to watch, finally choosing Ae Dil... to loud cheers from girls.
But, both Diwali releases did not create box office fireworks, with occupancies of both ranging from 40 to 60 per cent in Ranchi. Fun Cinemas manager Vimal Kumar said occupancy in both the films was between 50-55 per cent. "We are hoping it improves over the weekend," he said.
Carnival Cinemas manager Dhurv Khuswaha added the openings for both films weren't big as expected. "Usually after controversies, demand for a film peaks. Honestly, we expected 85-90 per cent occupancy for both Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shivaay. But, figures hovered around 50-60 per cent. Maybe, it's Dhanteras and people are busy shopping and cleaning their homes," he said, adding security posed no problem with adequate policemen outside the plex, which they had requested from earlier.
SRS Cinemas and Popkorn, which also screened both the films, showed "lukewarm occupancy" between 40 and 50 per cent on Friday.
But, those who watched the two movies seemed content with their selection. "The Ranbir-Ash-Anushka combo in a romantic film is worth a watch," said Shweta Singh, a second-year arts student of Ranchi Women's College who watched film at Carnival Cinemas. "The songs are good and personally I liked the way heartbreaks, patch-ups etc were shown. Ash looked gorgeous even at this age."
Student Rohit Kujur, who walked out of Plaza Cinema at HB Road after watching Shivaay, said the fight sequences and spectacular scenery were his money's worth. "I don't care about the story if the film is entertaining. Ajay Devgn's action is great," he said.
In Jamshedpur, screening of Ae Dil...was peaceful. Both the releases had lukewarm openings of around 50 per cent occupancy.
Which Diwali release did you watch and why? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com
