Paan shop outside hall charged Rs 30 for keeping each bag, says Aditi Ghosh

Our correspondent went for the first day show of Padmaavat and this is what she had to say:

While booking tickets for the first day, I was apprehensive but opted to risk it. On reaching PVR Anupam, I saw two PCR vans and around 15 policemen in the vicinity. Strict checking was being done at the door. I was asked to keep my sling bag with the paan shop owner, who was charging Rs 30 for each bag. Not even a safety pin was allowed inside... Only wallets and mobile phones were allowed. I was told that the strict checking was also because of Republic Day. Due to the protests, the authorities had made excellent preparations for the safety of the movie-goers. Policemen were allowed to sit inside the hall and watch the movie with us, to prevent any ruckus should it threaten to occur. But throughout the movie, the audience was glued to the screen. And there was pin drop silence. And for a change, people were allowed to taken in snacks from the counter.
— Aditi Ghosh