Sooryavanshi, the Akshay Kumar-starrer that released in theatres on Friday, has had some screenings halted in Punjab amid calls from the state’s farmers to boycott the film, reports The Quint.
The farmers, who have been protesting against the BJP-led union government’s farm laws, are reportedly opposing Kumar’s film as they believe the actor is a staunch supporter of the BJP.
Directed by Rohit Shetty and also starring Katrina Kaif in the lead, Sooryavanshi is the third film in Shetty’s ‘cop universe’. After facing several delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the film finally made it to theatres on Friday.
However, in places such as Budladha and Rupnagar in Punjab, morning shows of the film were called off on Friday by a few theatres, as per The Quint.
According to a Film Information report quoted by The Quint, premises such as Skyee in Budladha and Mukta A2 in Rupnagar refrained from screening the film fearing agitation from farmers. Other theatres in the Patiala region were reportedly considering pulling the film from screens starting Saturday.
Punjab farmers have been in the news for several months now for actively protesting against the union government’s Farm Bills, which were passed during the monsoon session of the parliament in 2020. Farmers and agricultural organisations across the country have raised their voices against the provisions of the Bills, which have been described as being “anti-farmer” in nature.
Recommended
A farmers’ group, Kisan Ekta Morcha, through a verified Facebook page, called for a boycott of Kumar’s Sooryavanshi on Friday. “They come, they loot us and then forget us! We will strongly oppose showcasing of Suryavanshi in Punjab theatres! Won’t allow them to loot us anymore!! #KisanMajdoorEktaZindabaad #goback_akshaykumar #BoycottSooryavanshi,” said the statement on the page.
The makers of Sooryavanshi have not commented on the issue so far.