Security was tight at movie theaters in India Friday, for the opening
of a new Bollywood film whose star made recent comments that angered
Hindu hardliners.
Members of the Hindu nationalist party, Shiv Sena, protested outside
several cinemas in the western city of Mumbai Friday, in an effort to
disrupt the opening of the film, starring Shah Rukh Khan, called "My
Name is Khan." The actor angered Hindu nationalists when he said he
favored including Pakistani cricket players in India's premier cricket
league.
Khan, who is in Berlin promoting the movie, said Friday he was
disturbed, scared and emotionally hurt by the protests. He said he
wants everyone to be happy when they see his film, and will make sure
sentiments change when he returns to India.
Earlier this week, police detained at least 1,800 Shiv Sena members to prevent disruption of the movie's screenings.