Hyderabad: The media preview of the Telugu version of Padmaavat passed off uninterrupted in the city on Tuesday. This was the first time the movie was screened in Hyderabad, though for a selected audience.
It was held at a multiplex in Banjara Hills without police protection and there were no hassles. The premier of the controversial movie is scheduled at a few multiplexes on Thursday night. The state government has maintained silence on the opposition to the release of the film expressed by certain sections in the city.
An official of the Telangana Film Development Corporation, a government regulatory body dealing with distributors and theatre owners, told this newspaper:
“The government has not raised any objections nor has it banned the film in the state. Distributors and theatre owners are anticipating trouble for the first two days after which the situation is likely to cool down gradually.” Hyderabad police commissioner V. V. Srinivas Rao told this newspaper that police personnel would be deployed at theatres if there was a request. “Since the government has not banned the movie, the police department would definitely protect people who want to watch the movie,” he said.
