Mumbai: My Name is Khan had a glittering premiere in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night but the big test is the film's release in Mumbai on Friday where the police are gearing up for any possible trouble the Shiv Sena might attempt.
(Read & Watch: My Name Is Khan's première in Abu Dhabi) After Shah Rukh Khan's face off with the Thakerays, advance bookings restarted on Wedesday, after they were stopped for a while by theatre owners.
(Read: Nervous cinemas start selling tickets for SRK's film) Over 1500 Shiv Sainiks have been arrested so far and all cops have a list of security measures to be taken at all theatres screening the film.
The Shiv Sena, which has threatened to attack cinemas showing the filmunless Shah Rukh apologizes for his comments on Pakistani cricketers,continues to be belligerent. Shah Rukh has angered Sainiks, standing byhis statements on his return to Mumbai. (
Read and watch: SRK's interview to NDTV)
TheSena is also clearly boosted by Sharad Pawar's meeting with BalThackeray, where he sought the Sena Chief's approval for Pakistanis andAustralians playing the IPL - just two days after Rahul Gandhi'sdrubbing response to the Sena. (
Read & Watch: Pawar meets Thackeray for cricket, snubs Congress)
Theparty sees the tussle as a prestige issue, and has challenged theGovernment to withdraw all security to its leaders. "I asked mysecurity to be withdrawn last night itself," said Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday.
"Wedon't see this as a challenge. It is a law and order problem we willdeal with it accordingly." Chief Minister Ashok Chavan retorted.
TheSena's diktat apart, Mumbai seems ready to welcome the film. "I'llsurely go to watch MNIK because I don't think SRK has done anythingthat should make people stay away from the movie," said a fan. "We livein a democracy. Nobody should obstruct people from going for a movie,"said another.