Several Canadian theatres have temporarily halted screenings of Indian films following a series of arson attacks and security incidents over the past week. York Cinemas announced on Friday that it would not screen Indian movies until further notice, citing the safety of employees and patrons as the primary reason.

In a statement, York Cinemas said, “Due to recent incidents, we will not be screening Indian movies until further notice. This decision has been made with the safety of our employees and guests in mind. Advance ticket purchases will be refunded within a few business days.”

Film.Ca Cinemas in Toronto also canceled screenings of South Asian films after an arson attempt and a shooting at its Oakville location. On the night of October 2, a suspect fired multiple rounds at the theatre’s entrance. The cinema was closed at the time, and no casualties were reported, CBC News confirmed.

Last week, two suspects had set fire to the entrance doors using a flammable liquid. Halton police confirmed that the blaze was contained and caused no major damage while investigations continue into the September 25 incident.

Jeff Knoll, CEO of Film.Ca Cinemas, said, “The good news: only the entrance was affected, and the rest of the theatre is safe, undamaged, and fully operational. These cowardly acts occurred overnight when no guests or staff were present. We’ve enhanced security to ensure the safety of all visitors.”

Similar incidents have also been reported at other theatres in the Greater Toronto Area and British Columbia. Some distributors of South Indian films have raised concerns about a potential coordinated campaign to disrupt screenings of popular movies in Canada to control the market and protect profits.