LUCKNOW: The controversial film on Ayodhya , Ram ki Janmabhoomi, could not be screened in Lucknow after the theatre owner made a last minute retreat on Friday.The film, written and produced by UP Shia Central Waqf Board chief Waseem Rizvi, was scheduled to be screened at Sudarshan Talkies in Charbagh - the lone theatre in the city that had agreed to screen it.On Friday, a poster of Ram ki Janmabhoomi had been put up at the theatre. But it was taken down by afternoon as the owner decided not to screen it to avoid any trouble.The movie has been made against the backdrop of Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, the violence of 1990 in Ayodhya, triple talaq and halala."We had a talk with the film's distributor and producer on Thursday night, but decided not to screen it on Friday because we did not want any disharmony in the area," said theatre manager SK Pandey.."This was despite the fact that all publicity material and the reel had arrived," he added. The Supreme Court had on Thursday refused to stall the film's release. Meanwhile, Ram ki Janmabhoomi received a lukewarm response in Gorakhpur and Varanasi on Friday. In Gorakhpur's United Talkies, two shows - from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 3pm - were screened. Against the hall's capacity of 650 seats, only 21 tickets were sold in the first show and 94 tickets in the second show."As we got the film on Thursday evening, we could not publicise it properly. This could be the reason behind the low sale of tickets. We expect the sale of tickets to pick up gradually," said theatre manager NK Tiwari.Despite low attendance, most of the people who watched the movie praised its content and direction."The movie shows the Ayodhya dispute in a new light. The most important fact is that it has been written by a Muslim with an open mind on the issue," said Ghanshyam Das, who liked the movie.Another viewer, Ravi Madhesia, said, "I am happy that someone had the courage to make a movie on Ramjanmabhoomi issue. It shows that the Ram temple should be built at the disputed site and even Muslims are ready for it." In Varanasi, the film was screened in night show at Anand Mandir in Teliabag, which is known for screening Bhojpuri films. People had no idea about the film as no promotions were done before the release. Even the posters were put up after 4pm."Further screening of the film will depend upon on the business we get," said theatre manager Alok Dubey. As per a distributor of the film, the movie was screened in 26 districts of Uttar Pradesh including Deoria, Salemour, Hata, Chandauli , Jaunpur, Gopiganj and Badhalganj.

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