Theatre owners in Mangaluru have decided to resume screening of Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer Dilwale, after it was stalled following protests by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists in Dakshina Kannada since December 20.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Dilwale, which released on December 18, 2015 was disrupted from screening since December 20 in protest against Shah Rukh Khan’s comment on growing “religious intolerance” in the country. The theatre managements had stopped the screening of the movie fearing attack from the Hindu activists.

City-based social activist Vidya Dinker had filed a complaint with Mangaluru South police demanding action against the Bajrang Dal activists who forcibly stopped the screening of the movie in theatres. She had also written to Home Minister G. Parameshwara to restore rule of law in Dakshina Kannada.

City Police Commissioner S. Murugan, who had been stating that the police were prepared to extend protection to cinemas, got the security offered from December 25 onwards. However, cinemas were wary of screening the movie.

From Friday, i.e., after 12 days from banning, the three multiplexes in Mangaluru — PVR Cinemas, Cinepolis and Big Cinemas, commenced screening of the movie. One of the operators said the afternoon shows had seen about 75 per cent occupancy, while another said the response would be known from Saturday, the weekend. The Karnataka Reserve Police Forces has been deployed near these multiplexes.

Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Dilwale‘ has entered the list of top 10 foreign grossers by collecting $18.5 million in the first 10 days of release. The movie also stars Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon.