By Priyal Sanghavi

While those few who have seen My Name is Khan are raving about it, the citizens of Mumbai are still unsure whether they will be able to watch Shah Rukh Khan’s latest when it releases tomorrow. Shiv Sena have backflipped again - having first backtracked on a previous threat to stop the film showing, they’ve now gone all out to ban MNIK in Mumbai.

Nine cinemas that had opened advance bookings were shocked when Shiv Sainiks attacked and vandalised their property. As a result, Wednesday morning saw more than 60 out of 70 Mumbai cinemas shut advance booking, despite state assurances of protection. Over 1600 party workers have been detained and 59 others arrested and charged with vandlalism.

Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray blamed the sudden change of decision on Chief Minister Ashok Chauvan, who the previous day had urged Mumbai citizens to watch the movie. He said: “We wanted to resolve the issue amicably. However, the Chief Minister has exacerbated the crisis and in his attempt to please his New Delhi bosses, he has thought it wise to deploy hundreds of policemen at Mumbai's cinema halls. Why is the government provoking the Sena?”

However with police commissioner D Sivanandhan cancelling leave for all 42,000 policemen, cinema owners reopened advance bookings by 4pm yesterday. Vishal Kapur, CEO of Fun Republic cinemas, said: “Senior officers have assured full support and we have opened the advance bookings as of now. We have been constantly monitoring the situation to assure the safety of people.” The first three rows of the cinema hall will be reserved for the police and closed circuit cameras with night vision will be set up.

Sena has been demanding an apology from Khan about his recent comments supporting Pakistani cricketers playing in the Indian Premier League. There is a good chance that Sena’s aggressive methods to ensure a bad film opening may cost them. The public are enraged, and may go to watch the movie in large numbers either as a protest against Sena or just for the curiosity factor.

One can understand Khan, who is at the centre of the controversy, wanting to get away from it all. At his London visit last week, the press was requested to not ask about the matter. He even cancelled interviews on the last day due to ill health. But if there is a time to show courage for Khan, it is now by being in Mumbai. He is currently in Abu Dhabi for the premiere there.

The buzz is certainly high enough for filmgoers to watch the movie at some point. But the film’s release tomorrow will determine whether cinema bowed down to political pressure or not.