Vishwa takes TN roopam, Kamal Haasan agrees to tweak film
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Chennai: At long last, Kamal Haasan will be able to release his Vishwaroopam in Tamil Nadu. Following the agreement he reached on Saturday evening with the Muslim groups that had opposed the film saying it denigrated their religion as a haven for terrorists, the actor-director-producer will be able to screen the Tamil film to its largest audience base.
Emerging from a marathon six-hour session hosted by state home secretary R. Rajagopalan at his office in Fort St.George, a visibly relieved Kamal told reporters he had discussed with “Muslim brothers” about their apprehensions and agreed to delete “only some audio portions”. Expressing confidence that the state government would withdraw its ban on the film, he said he would soon announce the date of its release after consulting his technical team.
The censor board would be informed about the alterations in the film, he said, adding he would withdraw his petition challenging the ban.
While Kamal refrained from disclosing the cuts, the Muslim federation spokesperson and MMK legislator M H Jawahirullah said they had sought 16 cuts and all of them got covered in the six portions that the actor-producer agreed to delete.
“All the objectionable portions will be gone in the deletion, editing and sound-muting in six places that Kamal has agreed. Besides, he would insert a disclaimer at the start of the film saying all the sequences are imaginary and there is no intention to hurt any individual or community. We are happy”, he said.
The ban on the Rs 100 crore film had attracted criticism from many quarters saying it hurt the freedom of expression but chief minister Jayalalithaa on Friday came out with a stout defence of her government action. She said allowing the film in the face of threat by 24 Muslim organisations to agitate outside all the 524 theatres showing the film could lead to major law and order situation jeopardising public safety.
Both Kamal Haasan and the Muslim groups thanked the chief minister for facilitating the resolution of their differences. When asked for his comment by journalists at the secretariat, home secretary Rajagopal just smiled and drove away for a well-earned rest.
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