Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to ban the screening of actor-producer Kamal Haasan’s film Vishwaroopam in the state till further orders. Highly placed sources in the government told NDTV “district collectors have been orally instructed to pass appropriate orders and to make sure advance booking is stopped”. The Rs. 95 crore film, Kamal Haasan’s most expensive ever, was slated for release this Friday on around 500 screens in Tamil Nadu alone.
The Tamil Nadu government’s move comes after Muslim organisations expressed fear that the “film could disturb communal harmony” after watching a show, specially screened for them, a few days ago.
But Kamal Haasan had time and again denied allegations that the movie is against Muslims. Recently the actor told NDTV “in fact after watching Muslims would love the movie”.
The run up to Vishwaroopam’s launch remains chequered. First the actor had to abandon his dream premier launch of the movie on Direct To Home (DTH) following opposition by theatre owners that the move would affect their revenues, after which Kamal Haasan decided to launch the film on DTH a week after theatrical release.
However, sources in the industry say there could be more than what meets eye in this development. Some say the real issue could be over the tussle for acquiring television rights of the movie.
Tags: Kamal Haasan Vishwaroopam
Full Text: Read what Kamal Haasan wrote to his fans on ‘Vishwaroopam’
Actor-director Kamal Hassan on Thursday said that he will take legal recourse against the ban on screening of his film ‘Vishwaroopam’. Hassan said it was “cultural terrorism” and should stop. Here’s the full text of his statement.
Dear Friends,
While I am touched by the voices in support for me and my film, I am appalled at how my film is construed to be against my Muslim brothers.
I am appalled at how my film is construed to be against my Muslim brothers, Haasan said.
Full Text: Read what Kamal Haasan wrote to his fans on ‘Vishwaroopam’
My statements in favour of that community have marked me as a sympathizer. I have always gone beyond the call of my duty as an actor to voice my opinion in favour of what was humane and civil. I have been part of an organization called Harmony India which worked for Hindu Muslim amity.
I am not only hurt by these accusations of denigrating a community but my sensibilities are truly insulted.
I have been ruthlessly used as a vehicle by small groups who seek political profile. Icon bashing is a great way to be noticed when you are not one yourself. It is happenning again and again. Any neutral and patriotic Muslim will surely feel pride on seeing my film. It was designed for that purpose.
Now I will rely on law and logic to come to our support. This kind of cultural terrorism will have to stop.
I thank those who rose to the occasion and to my support on the Internet.
Kamal Haasan
https://ibnlive.in.com/news/full-text-read-what-kamal-haasan-wrote-to-his-fans-on-vishwaroopam/317470-8-68.html
First of all why the hell you want to direct a movie which is loosely based on any religion. There are many issues and subjects lingering in the world upon whom the director can make a number of movies. But still some directors are hungry for some publicity and want to be in the news by some means or the other. Wake up guys and do some sensible work so that it gets appreciated by universal audience.
Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam cannot release till Monday, judge to review film
Actor Kamal Haasan’s film Vishwaroopam will not release as scheduled tomorrow, the Madras High Court has ruled. On Saturday, a judge will review the film which was banned by the Tamil Nadu government because of protests by Muslim groups. The ban on the 95-crore movie will remain in place till Monday, when the judge delivers a verdict.
Kamal Haasan, who is abroad, had described the ban as “cultural terrorism” and appealed in court today after the government said, on Thursday evening, that it would not allow the film to release in 500 theatres as scheduled tomorrow.
Kamal Haasan had invited the leaders of Muslim organisations to a special screening of the film recently, but the viewing did not change their opinion that the movie “could disturb communal harmony.” They disagree with the portrayal of Muslims in the film. “Vishwaroopam is the most Muslim-friendly film I have seen in recent times,” the actor countered.
He said in a statement this morning, “My sensibilities are truly insulted. I’ve been ruthlessly used as vehicle by small groups seeking political profile. Icon bashing is a great way to be noticed when you are not one yourself. It is happening again and again. Any neutral and patriotic Muslim will surely feel pride on seeing my film. It was designed for that purpose.
https://www.ndtv.com/article/south/kamal-haasan-s-vishwaroopam-cannot-release-till-monday-judge-to-review-film-321882
Seems politically motivated to me – like the govt has some issue with Kamal.
Vishwaroopam ban lifted by court, but Kamal Haasan is not past finish line
Kamal Haasan’s big-budget thriller ‘Vishwaroopam’ can finally release in Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court ruled today, rescinding a ban imposed on the movie last week by the state government.
How quickly the film can start playing in theatres depends now on their availability. The government has said it will appeal against today’s verdict.
In court today, the Tamil Nadu government defended the ban it ordered just days before the film’s scheduled release, citing the need to protect communal harmony after Muslim groups accused the film of portraying the community negatively.
The government decided to hold the Rs. 95-crore film for two weeks despite a clearance given by the country’s censor board. The state’s Advocate General Navaneedakrishnan described that sanction as “a scam” and said it appeared to have been granted “without application of the mind.”
Kamal Haasan’s lawyer argued that the ban is unconstitutional, which was seconded unequivocally by Leela Samson, who heads the Central Board for Film Certification. “It is absolutely unacceptable. We have certified hundreds and thousands of films…only with Vishwaroopam, you find it has not been done with due diligence? This is an infringement on freedom of expression,” she said.
Before going to court, Kamal Haasan, who stars in the film which he has also directed and produced, described the government’s intervention as “cultural terrorism” and said Vishwaroopam is “one of the most Muslim-friendly films in recent times.”
The judge hearing the case had reviewed the film over the weekend.
The controversy engulfing the film had spilled over to neighbouring states, with protests being held outside cinemas where it was showing. In Karnataka, the film was released today; cinema owners said the police had offered protection, if needed.
https://www.ndtv.com/article/south/vishwaroopam-ban-lifted-by-court-but-kamal-haasan-is-not-past-finish-line-323888?pfrom=home-lateststories
Its the govt combined with theater owners. If my south Indian friend is to be believed, then the theater owners were not keen on screening Vishwaroopam, the day Kamal announced its quick DTH release.
Now Kamal Haasan plays the victim card 😉
I think Tamil Nadu wants me out: Kamal Haasan on Vishwaroopam battle
LOL
TN is the last state to have Hindu-Muslim conflict. There everyone is first “tamil”/dravidian and then rest categorization is not an issue/doesnt matter at all. The religion problem just doesn’t exist at all.
Jayalalitha should be ashamed.
Ban on Vishwaroopam’s release lifted in Tamil Nadu
The two-week ban on Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam has been lifted in Tamil Nadu. A day after the actor-director reached an agreement with Muslim groups opposing his mega-budget thriller, district collectors in the state today revoked the prohibitory orders under which the release of the film was banned. This paves the way for the film’s release in Tamil Nadu, its biggest market.
Prohibitory orders on Vishwaroopam had been imposed in all 31 districts of Tamil Nadu on January 23 when the state government banned the film for two weeks over concerns that it could disturb law and order.
Fans will have to wait for some more time though to watch the movie in theatres. Mr Haasan will have to formally withdraw his petition against the ban. Also, the movie will now have to compete for screen time with two other big weekend releases – Mani Ratnam’s Kadal and actor Vikram’s David. Both are running to packed houses and have advance bookings for a few days.
Mr Haasan had yesterday agreed to edit sound clips in seven scenes in Vishwaroopam, which the protesting groups found objectionable. The compromise came after a six-hour meeting between the producer, government officials, and representatives of Muslim groups in Chennai.
Emerging from the meeting, Kamal Haasan said, “I will let you know the date of the release soon.” He thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Home Secretary R Rajagopal for arranging the meeting.
The movie, which has been cleared by the censor board, ran into trouble in Tamil Nadu after some groups alleged it portrayed Muslims in poor light. The state government’s two-week ban was upheld by the Madras High Court.
https://www.ndtv.com/article/south/ban-on-vishwaroopam-s-release-lifted-in-tamil-nadu-325884