By SEAN YOONGKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Ethnic Indian fans wrecked cinemas in several Malaysian cities after a nationwide premiere of a long-awaited Tamil film was delayed or canceled due to technical glitches, news reports and a theater employee said Saturday.
Screenings of "Sivaji: The Boss," were canceled or delayed by as much as six hours in four Malaysian states Thursday night, angering movie-goers who then rampaged in a rare display of public violence in this normally peaceful country, The Star and the New Straits Times newspapers reported.
They said police were called in to control hundreds of rioting fans, many of whom demanded refunds and compensation for money they spent on fuel and toll charges to come to the cinemas.
The Sri Intan theater in Klang district near Kuala Lumpur was temporarily closed for repairs after a mob damaged the lobby, shattered lighting and sound equipment and set fire to part of the cinema, said a theater receptionist, who was contacted by phone and spoke on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to speak to the media.
The Sri Intan theater in Klang district near Kuala Lumpur was temporarily closed for repairs after a mob damaged the lobby, shattered lighting and sound equipment and set fire to part of the cinema, said a theater receptionist, who was contacted by phone and spoke on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to speak to the media.
In northern Ipoh city, police briefly arrested several people after a cinema manager was beaten up and sustained head injuries that required stitches, The Star reported.
Other cinemas were also thrown into chaos as fans hurled bottles, broke glass displays and tore up seats, the reports said.
Other cinemas were also thrown into chaos as fans hurled bottles, broke glass displays and tore up seats, the reports said.
S. Vel Paari, chief executive of the movie's Malaysian distributor, Pyramid Saimira Theatre Chain, apologized for the trouble, saying there had been technical problems including a shortage of prints supplied by the Chennai-based movie's producer, The Star said.
"Sivaji" has been billed as India's most expensive movie, starring popular southern Indian actor Rajinikanth. The plot revolves around a man who loses money because of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats.
About 10 percent of Malaysia's 26 million people are ethnic Indians, most of them Tamils. Hindi- and Tamil-language Indian movies are the chief source of entertainment for the local Indians, many of whom closely follow the stars' lives and careers.
[JPX] I have no idea what that's a picture of.
3 comments:
That story is bonkers! I can think of numerous examples of Americans behaving badly due to some unavailable, long-awaited something or other (Cabbage Patch Dolls spring to mind), but multiple outbreaks because everyone wanted to see a particular movie? Wackadoo.
And that picture is hilarious. Your choices are exploding cars, upside-down cars, cars in the ocean or the mysterious Black Flame.
I think that means "stay home."
That dress isn't doing her any favors either.
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