Chennai: Multiplex lets in kids to watch A-rated Logan'
Activist was dragged out of the complex for questioning.
Chennai: If not for a child activist, a private multiplex in Aminjikarai would have gotten away with showing an Adult-rated movie - Hugh Jackman starrer 'Logan' - to minors in one of its seven screens, in Aminjikarai, on Sunday night. The issue, reported to Chennai's Child Protection Unit in Royapuram, is being looked into.
On Sunday night, child rights activist Emi aka Enoch Moses was among several hundred people admitted to Screen Audi - 3 to watch the 142-minute film, in the 10.30 pm show.
Emi spotted at least three children, two of whom were kids of the staff of the movie hall while the other was a-4-year-old accompanied by a parent and relatives.
"When I objected to this, an off-duty manager who was also watching the movie suggested I leave the screen instead of setting things right by taking the children out of the movie hall.
Given the censor certification, the theatre should have put in place a mechanism barring minors from getting admission to the movie hall. While I reported the incident to the Childline about this incident, the staff then called up local police. A woman sub-Inspector Deepa rushed to the scene and had me dragged out of the multiplex besides warning me that I had no right to question either the multiplex administration or the parents," Emi told Deccan Chronicle.
Police sources said the rights of admission is reserved, and is governed by the respective managements of the multiplex or the cinema halls.
"A call on nuisance came to us around midnight. A woman sub-Inspector on night duty was dispatched to check into the incident," a senior police official said.
The official also assured to look into the charges of insensitivity showcased by the woman police official.
"We are pursuing the complaint, and would take action based on the merits of the complaint," District Child Protection Officer, Siva Jayakumar told Deccan Chronicle.
Sources said the multiplex management is trying to evade their culpability in admitting children by conveniently invoking the invasion of privacy.
