Dubai: Drama is expected onscreen at Bollywood premieres, but at Wednesday night’s premiere of Teri Meri Kahaani at Mall of the Emirates, it was in the cinema itself.
Hundred of fans had queued for at least three hours to see Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor, the stars of the film, who finally arrived just after 10pm. After addressing the fans outside the cinema, the stars made their way into cinema 12, followed by dozens of ticket holders, who all tried to cram into the dangerously overcrowded theatre. Security appeared unprepared for the onrush of fans who tried to force their way through the narrow doors. Punches were thrown as fans -- including small children -- found themselves in a crush of people.
Many who had tickets for the cinema 12 screen found themselves locked out as the doors were finally forced shut.
After addressing the crowd in cinema 12, the stars, accompanied by the film’s director Kunal Kohli, moved to screen three, where again they were surrounded by dozens of fans, many screaming and trying to touch them, although neither Chopra nor Kapoor seemed in the least disturbed by the furore. Kapoor was even able to break out of the tight circle of beefy security guards surrounding him for a bathroom break.
Organisers Essar Events on Thursday said their priority was to protect the stars.
“Our main thing is to protect the artist. There were some people who were trying to touch Priyanka in a very different way,” said Rashid Saeed, managing director of Essar Events, adding that the stars were happy to pose for pictures and sign autographs. “We have to protect them [otherwise] in future they won’t come. As far as autographs and pictures are concerned, it’s not an issue.”
Speaking to cinema three, Kapoor reminded the lucky ticket holders that it was the film’s world premiere.
“Nobody will see the film before you guys, so you will be the first. Thank you!”
“You’ll be the first people in the world to see the movie,” said Chopra, who had missed a press conference with Kapoor earlier in the day to visit her brother, who had had a heart attack in Mumbai. Dressed in a sheer cream dress which showed plenty of the former Miss World’s legs, she warned that the film can have serious side effects. “It’s a really lovely soft sweet, film. It helps you fall in love again, so if you are here with your wife and girlfriend, girls, you better watch out.”
