Cinema halls in India have always been more than entertainment venues. They act as shared public spaces where rituals like standing for the national anthem often trigger strong emotions. These moments reflect deeper questions around respect, choice, and enforcement.
During a recent screening of Dhurandhar, an incident unfolded when a man refused to stand for the national anthem. Fellow viewers confronted him, and the situation escalated quickly. Theatre staff eventually asked him to leave and refunded his ticket to defuse tensions.
The video of the incident spread rapidly online and divided opinion. Many supported the audience, calling it a matter of basic respect. Others felt public confrontation and humiliation should not replace lawful procedures.
The debate intensified after Avishek Goyal posted his views on X. He criticised the anthem ritual in cinemas, calling it hollow and pointing to drunk or distracted viewers. He argued that this form of enforced patriotism achieves nothing meaningful.
Supporters of the anthem pointed out the Supreme Court’s 2016 order that made it mandatory in cinema halls. The rule aimed to promote unity and respect. Ignoring it in public spaces has led to visible backlash.
The incident raises uncomfortable questions. Should theatres handle such matters quietly instead of leaving it to crowd reactions. These clashes show how cinema halls mirror larger social tensions around nationalism and personal choice.
Literally, no meaning of playing national anthem in cinema halls
we dont know in what state ppl go there…
my be drunk or high…these fake nationalism theatrics shud be banned from cinema halls pic.twitter.com/aBAfUImHm6— Avishek Goyal (@AG_knocks) December 13, 2025
