India flocks to see My Name Is Khan

It was a shaky start, but by afternoon, Mumbai was taking its revenge on the Sena with house full shows for Shah Rukh Khan's My Name Is Khan. (NDTV Photo)

Thirteen cinemas, including most of Mumbai's big multiplexes like Fun Cinemas and Inox, began screening the film by Friday afternoon.

Mumbai generates the most money for Bollywood releases, and city's multiplexes do the most business.

Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar and Kajol are at the Berlin film festival for the premiere of My Name is Khan.

A grateful Karan Johar, who has directed the film, tweeted: "Am overwhelmed and moved to tears with all the support our labour of love is getting. Thank you. Thank you. Your hand on our head makes us." (NDTV Photo)

Some of Bollywood's biggest names extended their support to the superstar.

Hrithik Roshan was among the band of stars who were happy that the movie was released and tweeted to urge SRK's fans to 'go watch the movie!' Abhishek Bachchan too tweeted his support for Shah Rukh and Karan Johar.(NDTV Photo)

There were sporadic protests outside cinemas in Versova and Chembur in Mumbai. But the protesters were arrested immediately. (NDTV Photo)

In Delhi, most afternoon screenings of the film were sold out on Friday. However, a day before, Shiv Sainiks had attacked the Satyam cinema hall in Janakpuri. (NDTV Photo)

Some hoardings of Shah Rukh Khan were burnt in Nizamuddin area of New Delhi as well. (NDTV Photo)

In Ahmedabad, theatres decided to show My Name Is Khan after a brief scare, as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal protested at a multiplex before the first show of the movie. (NDTV Photo)

A sell-out crowd greeted My Name Is Khan in West Bengal. The film released in 131 cinema halls across the state without any trouble.

Cheering fans of the star filled the halls for the first show.

Shah Rukh Khan owns the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders. (NDTV Photo)

In Bangalore too, fans ensured packed shows, stressing that they want to support Shah Rukh Khan for having the courage of his conviction, and for refusing to apologise to the Shiv Sena. (NDTV Photo)

It all started when Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said that he favoured Pakistani players' inclusion in the Indian Premier League.

Agitated by his comments, the Shiv Sena warned that its members will not allow screenings of the film till Khan apologizes.

Shah Rukh refused to apologize and tweeted that his comments were being misconstrued as being against a group.(NDTV Photo)