Kota theatre vandalised for showing Padmavati trailer

Dozens of activists of far-right Shri Rajput Karni Sena on Tuesday stormed through a cinema hall in Kota to protest the screening of a teaser of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next movie 'Padmavati', which the group claims distort historical facts.

The protesters vandalised booking counters, glass windows and gates, and office furniture of the theatre, informs an Indian newspaper.

Reportedly the protesters have pelted stones at the theatre. The activists dispersed after the police used light force against them. As many as eight people have been detained following the violence and proceedings were on against 30-40 other people, a police official said.

No case has been registered in connection with the violence as local police officials said that were waiting for a complaint from the manager of the cinema hall.

Following the protest, the screening of the teaser has been stopped at the theatre. Karni Sena activists had also submitted a memorandum to the theatre manager demanding him to stop the screening of the trailer.

Earlier in the day, several activists of Sarv Hindu Samaj and Karni Sena marched through the Kota District Collectorate against the soon-to-be released film. In their memorandum, the far-right activists said the Hindu society will not tolerate distortion of historical facts and the cultural heritage and values of Rajasthan.