The Producers Guild of India has expressed deep gratitude to all the state governments for maintaining law and order and ensuring a peaceful release of Shah Rukh Khan’s latest film Pathaan across India.

Once upon a time, maintaining law and order was one of the principal responsibilities of an elected government.

Once upon a time, movies used to be released in India without the adjective “peaceful”. It was taken for granted that something as everyday and enjoyable as the release of a film would be “peaceful”.

No longer. When governments maintain law and order, that becomes news. When movies are released without vandalism, that becomes news.

Both are occasions that deserve grateful acknowledgment — which the Producers Guild of India has dutifully done.

“The Producers Guild of India is deeply grateful to all the state governments for maintaining law and order, and ensuring peaceful release of the historic blockbuster Pathaan across India,” a statement from the Guild, headed by Shibasish Sarkar, said on Friday.

“Your efforts in safeguarding the sanctity of cinema so that it can entertain India and Indians has boosted the confidence of the Indian film industry,” the Guild added.

The stylish spy thriller by Yash Raj Films (YRF), which marks Shah Rukh’s return to the big screen after more than four years, had faced boycott calls over the song Besharam Rang.

Since its January 25 release, however, the Siddharth Anand-directed movie has raised Rs 313 crore in its first three days, collecting Rs 201 crore in India and Rs 112 crore overseas, according to YRF.

The guild said: “Pathaan’s success is one of hope, one that makes us believe that the power of love can triumph over everything. We share this moment of victory with you all. Thank you for making this happen.”

Pathaan has, according to YRF, broken some 21 box office records. The collections have exceeded the expectations of trade experts who were banking on the film to bring some cheer to the industry after a series of flops.