GHAZIABAD/NOIDA: Police have stepped up security at malls and multiplexes where the Shah Rukh Khan-starred Pathaan is being screened.Apprehensions about protests were a reason, but in some cases, so were unruly fans inside auditoriums. . In Ghaziabad, a constable has been posted at each auditorium screening the movie, and in Noida, an additional team of cops has been deployed around the malls. Multiplexes have also employed bouncers. Action was taken preemptively after members of a right-wing group vandalised a multiplex in Faridabad on Wednesday. An FIR was registered in the case and 12 people were detained.An administrative official of Pacific Mall in Ghaziabad told TOI on Thursday that they scaled up security at the premises after the Faridabad incident. “Five cops are inside the mall, and two others at the cinema. Due to heavy footfall, we have also increased the number of security guards to 10 at the theatres to manage the crowd,” the official said.According to data available on ticketing website Bookmyshow, the movie billed as SRK’s return to big screen after four years has at least 150 screenings in a week in Noida and Ghaziabad. It’s also pulling in the crowds, with some fans even resorting to dancing and loudly cheering in front of the screen. “Over 70% of the people entering the mall are coming to see Pathaan. Most of our shows are sold out… On Wednesday, some people started dancing on the chairs as a popular song from the movie, while some others walked to the screen. Some people also started dancing near the exit way, which made it difficult for others to get out. Thankfully, nothing was damaged and officials removed them from the theatre,” said Mukhteshwar Mishra, manager of Opulent Mall in Ghaziabad.Pawan Kumar, an Inox in-charge at Shipra Mall in Indirapuram, too said they have deployed more security guards as all shows are packed.On Thursday, Noida police said they have tightened security around malls and multiplexes as a precaution.”There are about 3-4 personnel outside every multiplex, apart from routine police deployment,” said Ashutosh Dwivedi, DCP (Noida).He added: “There are three multiplexes in Noida at Logix City Centre Mall, Wave Mall and Modi mall (earlier called Spice Mall). There is no movie screening at GIP mall and DLF Mall of India as the theatres are under maintenance.”Pathaan, starring SRK and Deepika Padukone, was released on January 25.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/pathaan-as-fans-dance-on-seats-and-at-exits-cops-posted-inside-auditoriums-in-delhi-ncr-too/articleshow/97362091.cms