Illustration/Uday Mohite

Violent protests spread to towns and cities in many states including Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra and UP yesterday, a day ahead of the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat, as fringe groups opposing the film remained defiant. In another worrying sign for the controversy-mired flick, the Multiplex Association of India, which represents about 75 per cent of multiplex owners, said the film would not be screened in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa.