Chennai: Kamal Haasan’s muchanticipated Vishwaroopam will miss its release date in Tamil Nadu on Friday. The Madras high court declined the request from the actor-producer to grant an interim stay on the two-week ban ordered by the state government yielding to pressure from Muslim outfits. But the film will be released in the rest of the world. This could cause serious piracy problems for its maker who is presently in Los Angeles for the film’s international premiere.
Passing interim orders, Justice K. Venkataraman refused relief “for the present” on the petition seeking interim injunction by Kamal, who has now missed two deadlines for the release of the film mauled by controversies — first because of the red flag waved by theatre owners at his DTH release plan and now by the Muslim outfits alleging that the movie denigrates them as a community of terrorists.
“Whether the film has got any scenes affecting the sentiments of the people, who have given the complaint or not could be decided only after viewing the film”, said the judge, postponing the release till January 28. Making clear he had not formed any opinion, he said he would take a view on it after viewing it on Jan. 26. No doubt the delay in the film’s release would cause mental agony and financial losses to the petitioners “but the interest of the people at large, that too during Republic Day, has to be viewed more than that”, Justice Venkataraman said.
Reacting sharply to the government’s ban under pressure from the Muslim outfits, Kamal in a statement said such “cultural terrorism” must stop.
“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”, he said, adding, “I have been ruthlessly used as a vehicle by small groups who seek political profile.”
Kamal says stop cultural terrorism
The state government may not be on Kamal Haasan’s side by imposing a 15-day ban on his latest movie Vishawaroopam just a day before his release. However, social media was abuzz with posts and comments in favour of the release of his magnum opus.
Not wishing to antagonise the Muslim community in the state that is celebrating the Prophet’s birthday on January 25, the same day as the release of the film, the government on Wednesday banned its release citing ‘law and order’ issues.
Some Muslim organisations had claimed that the movie projected their community in bad light.
Reacting quickly to the ban, Kamal Haasan had moved the high court challenging the prohibitory orders. The actor, in a media statement, said, “Icon-bashing is a great way to be noticed when you are not one yourself. It is happening again and again.”
“My statements in favour of the Muslim community have marked me as a sympathiser. I have been part of an organisation called Harmony India which worked for Hindu-Muslim amity,” said the actor.
Lamenting that he had been ruthlessly used as a vehicle by small groups seeking political profile, he sought to stop such cultural terrorism. “I am not only hurt by these accusations of denigrating a community, but my sensibilities are truly insulted,” he added.
The movie, produced by the actor’s own production house, Raaj Kamal Films International, has reportedly sunk in Rs 95 crore in the movie which was to release in 500 theatres in Tamil Nadu on Friday. And with the world premieres of the film scheduled on the same day, piracy threat stares distributors on the face.
Rising in support of the actor, many people, both within and outside the film industry, voiced their opposition to the government’s punitive action.
Pointing out that the film has been cleared by the Censor Board of Malaysia, a Muslim country, actor Prakash Raj tweeted, “When Tamil , Telugu n Hindi three censor boards of this democratic country have cleared Vishwaroopam, where does this ban come from???”
Even spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, said, “India is a free country. Kamal Haasan has been gifted with unique talents. He has the right to express his views and creativity unobstructed.”