NEW DELHI: Unlike when the first movie, 'MSG - The Messenger of God,' was banned in Punjab upon release early this year following protests against the film, this time round its sequel 'MSG2 Film-goers appreciated the movie for carrying a positive social message - The Messenger' is not facing a ban but the theatres are reluctant to show the movie and producer Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's followers are on the warpath instead, demanding that MSG2 be screened in the cinemas.
The protests by the Dera Sacha Sauda followers against an 'unofficial' ban on the screening of their spiritual leader Ram Rahim's 'MSG2 - The Messenger' continued in Punjab on Monday. They blocked rail and road traffic at various places in Punjab. There was tension in Moga, Bathinda, Patiala, Ferozepur and Sangrur. Six express/mail and 27 passenger trains in Ferozepur division were cancelled.
There was tension in Bhatinda district as Dera followers held demonstrations against the Government alleging that the theatres are not screening the movie because of the administration's pressure. The protesters blocked the Ferozepur-Fazilka highway in Ferozepur. Bhatinda is the nerve centre of Dera activities in Punjab. In Jalandhar and Ludhiana, the cinemas had listed the shows but cancelled them on Friday.
While Punjab Dera followers' leader Gurdev Singh said they would intensify their agitation against the State Government, the District Commissioner said there was no ban on the screening of the movie.
The followers of Dera Sacha Sauda blocked the Patiala-Sangrur Road.
Theatre owners are fearing backlash from Sikh protesters.
In Haryana, MSG2 starring Sirsa-based Ram Rahim was released in about 100 cinema halls on Friday. There were no reports of protests or cancellations in the State.
It is reported that there has been tremendous pre-release response to MSG-2 all over. Film-goers appreciated the movie for carrying a positive social message. They said MSG2 deals with the theme of bringing the tribals into the mainstream. It appeals against social evils of drugs and alcohol abuse.
Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh had earlier decided to ban the screening of the film over “objectionable” dialogues against tribal communities.
When the MSG was released in January this year, Sikh organisaitons had opposed the movie.
MSG-2 hit over 2000 screens across the country last Friday. The film’s overseas release is next week.
