Prohibitory orders in force for two weeks; film scheduled for release tomorrow
Hours ahead of its release, Kamal Haasan’s much-awaited Vishwaroopam was banned for two weeks in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday night.
Citing ‘law and order’ reasons, the State government took a decision to empower Collectors to invoke Section 144 of Cr.PC and restrain theatre owners from screening the movie on January 25. Commissioner of Police S. George issued an order directing theatre owners not to screen the film to ensure peace and public tranquillity. The prohibitory orders would be in force for a period of two weeks, highly placed police sources said.
The ban on screening the film came on a day the Madras High Court ruled that the State government had no power to prohibit plays or insist on prior police permission to stage them. A similar ban on The Da Vinci Code was struck down by the High Court a few years ago.
The film is scheduled to hit the screens on Friday. Tickets in many theatres across the State were sold out. The decision to ban Vishwaroopam was taken after a high-level meeting at the Secretariat here. The move also followed allegations made by some Muslim organisations that the movie portrayed their religion in poor light.
The original plan to release the film on January 11 was also hit after theatre owners objected to Kamal Haasan’s move to make it available on the Direct-to-Home platform first. “It is up to the theatre owners to decide on refund. We fear clashes between protesters and Kamal fans if the movie is released. Adequate security arrangements will be in place to prevent any untoward incident near movie halls,” a senior police official said.
Vishwaroopam is also planned for release in Telugu on January 25 and in Hindi on February 1.
Keywords: Vishwaroopam ban, Kamal Haasan, Tamil Nadu ban, Muslim groups protest
Indians esp Indian Muslims will have to feel proud about themselves...
understand the sensibility of the movie....A nice thriller...Watch
till the end and then ...
The punch is packed at the last....
Just like "Traitor" american movie makes you feel proud to be a
muslim....
Vishwaroopam will make any muslim feel proud, in fact any indian feel
proud....without hurting sensibilities of another religion / other
country....
That is very difficult to accomplish....
Hats off to Kamal...
Its a pathetic decision made by the tamilnadu government, rather
encouraging the veteran legend, I strongly support Kamal sir to fight
against this and prove again to the whole world.
Media plays a vital role in influencing the subconscious of an
individual. So it is a moral responsibility for movie makers not to
play with contents that will create a wrong perception and create a
negative subconscious mind. At the same time the any group belonging
to any religion should not make any noise giving new meaning and
creating new perception for a issue. I always surprise why no group
applaud or appreciate the goodness of any religion showed in the
media? Why always weakness and negative are given so much of
importance and made so much of noise. Input decides the output. If
only negatives are blown and showcased what will be the outcome to
this humanity. My humble request to any group belonging to any
religion is please if any thing good happens for your religion be loud
and celebrate. If anything is negative, discuss with the concerned
group or people who were the reason and sort it out in the root level.
Remember We all need this earth for us and the our children to live
@Haneef - With regards to S.J. Suriya film, the censor board issued "A" certificate which means it was suitable only for adults and not children. court ban can't stop pirated DVDs of that movie. It is the responsibility of parents to decide what to show to children. Moreover kamal had to delete many scenes in "hey ram" because of censor board. So it is not correct to say that censor board was blind.
with regards to cruelty, i don't think films are mainly responsible. Because films are there only for past century, but the cruelty is there as long as history goes back. As human civilization moves forward, we should also know our past. only for this reason, many cruel acts like sati that were in practice is part of history studies. We should not blame the historical subjects if some one follows sati now. Instead, we should advice such person to understand the what was taught more clearly. similarly, we should show our maturity with regards to films even if there is exaggeration.
This is ridiculous! This happens time & again only in TN where
everything is politicized by certain groups and given a communal colour.
Wake up to REALITY, people and act in a mature way! Rise up in protest
against terrorism in real life rather than a movie which states the
facts!
In Feb 2012, a boy stabbed his teacher to death in our own Chennai
itself after watching Agneepath. And there was an opinion in The Hindu
like "who's to blame? parents, teachers or films". I am not saying all
killing ideas are coming after watching films, but.. films have far
reaching consequences on children, adults and on society.
Every film has a hero, so be a villain and usually he is portrayed as
cruel. When checked with one who was in premier, he confirmed that an
exaggerated level of cruelty has been attributed to villain and of
course, villain has a Muslim name and background. So such kind of
portrait will definitely have its shadow on children and who are all
watching it. And we know censor board is blind when High court revoked
censor certificate for Mr.S.J.Suriya's film. So who is going to
control this disease?
I am not just blaming Mr.Kamal, but when comes to exaggeration, there
should be a level. So let him cut the objectionable content and
release it. No problem.
We Tamilians should be very proud of this very talented actor. The majority of Tamil Muslims know very well that KAMAL HAS NEVER INSULTED THE MUSLIMS. I sincerely hope that they rise up & suppor Kamal's VISHWAROOPAM.
It is quite unfortunate that the TN police / govt have enforced a 2 weeks ban from this movie being screened in TN theaters. It is funny that no other state in India or central govt have done this. Do the various organizations that are protesting the screening of this movie represent the entire community? No way. This is true in all communal organizations when they claim that about them being the sole representative of their community. There are more number of public who do not align or belong to these kind of communal organization who are silently watching or ignoring what is happening. This is why we in India are leaving in secular harmony despite numerous attempts by various communal parties.
Art should remain art and never it should become a playground for political or communal mileage.
Hope Mr. Kamal Hassan will succeed in showing what he truely wanted to show as a movie and which should be treated as art of fiction.
this is seriously fatuous... to ban a movie which has already been cleared by the CBFC!!! don't know how witless these people are... He has not cooked up a complete fictitious story to offend anyone.. He has just taken cue from factions which are clearly doing inhumane and ungodly things ... If people reckon that this film is to be banned for showing just a bit of what they are capable of, just think of what should be done to these factions then..... why don't they speak against these factions , i never find them voicing against these factions ....
This has been the case since the days of Thevar Magan. Every politician
will utilize the opportunity and make some irresponsible statements. In
the first place the censor board has certified a movie means it is well
within the legal framework to be exhibited. Its a shame on the state
government/police that it is not capable of handling a law and order
situation arising out of a movie release! What on earth these
administrators are capable of? How is the situation going to change
after 2 weeks. Can the government give an assurance that the fans and
the community leaders will not clash when the movie is released after
two weeks? Or will the government equip itself in two weeks to maintain
law and order?
Another feather in the cap of the world's 'largest democracy' and our 'brave' police force. The time has come to scrap the censor board. Instead all films must hereafter be made to to obtain certification from every mutt and mullah before it is screened. Mera bharat mahan.
Now onwards this will encourage other communities to lodge similar
protests for some silly reasons.No Film Director will have the
creativeness to express their views.All stories have to be stereo type
now onwards.
Weak congress govt. cannot do anything other than minority appeasement.
Any loss arising out of this action, this Government should bear as compensation - I
request any Courts when hearing the case should be bold enough to award
compensations as done in other Countries. If a Government pays compensation 5
times then that Govt. should be dismissed.This will curtail political vendetta.
People nor Courts havent given this kind of power into a State Govt. Governments
work on clear cut mandates and legislations. This is clear misuse of power by the
State Government. Tomorrow any person can stop anything in this State for any
reason, just by thumping a desk and the political affiliation will decide the case.. This
is the worst legally erroneous, logically problematic precedence this Govt. has set up.
I deeply condemn this act of Govt.
I think only Kamal Hasan is to be blamed for all these .Why did he not release the film at the earliest and created controversies one after the other picking up quarrels with distributers , exhibitors and all . He thought all these amounted to free publicity and he would be benefitted . It has back fired now .
I really feel pity on the State Government who fear their inability to maintain law and order, peace and harmony in the state..If they fear a mere release of a movie can shatter the law and order, how weak they are..?In addition to that, they do not know the value of a person who the Hollywood hails..If the freedom of expressions are curtailed like this, I am sure we cannot expect any good cinemas in the future..This is the time for the cine field to back Mr. Kamal Hassan, but unfortunately they are busy on some other things..Of course, Mr.Kamal, you yourself can take "vishwaroopam"..we are with you..
The report says, "the ban on screening the film came on a day the Madras High Court
ruled that the State government had no power to prohibit plays or insist on prior
police permission to stage them." What exactly is the current position ? Ban is in
force or NOT ?
It is high time everyone realized how peaceful Hindus are. In many movies they made fun of
Hindu gods etc and no body protested or demanded anything. Even RSS etc have never
done anything like this, yet congress is labeling them badly. But here is an incident that
show the true colors of certain groups. When someone like E V Ramasamy broke Hindu
idols did any Hindu do terrorism? So called secular media must realize this now and stop
supporting certain groups?
What Kamal hasaan can do with all his might money power which is also now fully exhaused due his money struck with Visavaroopam non release and further ban from the tamiland Govt.Iyya ho?
I think we Indians are meant to see only cartoons, animation movies, love stories and will be prohibited to watch a world class movie being produced by a brave, creative, dedicated, versatile actor/director like kamal hassan.The groups demanding ban are purposely doing this to raise their claims/position in the society by digging at films like this. The end result is we public are denied to see a good films. Mr. Kamal Hassan, our prayers will not let you down and please be in the cinema industry for us ignoring the glitches.
Anything can happen in our country not for public but for political
reasons.
This is just not making sense to me. To my knowledge these organizations work for upliftment of their community . How would a film change their goals or how would a person thoughts affect the perception of the entire system.
The decision by TN government to stay the film screening over rules the CBFC's authority and throttles freedom of expression by one of the best artists of this country. While Muslims of TN have claimed of "Social disharmony" for screening the film, their own community members of A.P and entire North India have not done so. That the organizations opposing the movie are the same ones who stood by the AIADMK goverment during 2011 election lead us to believe that TN govt. is playing vote Bank politics. Ironically the C.M of the state herself is from "Film Industry" only. One cannot but agree with Kamal Hassan that this is nothing but cultural terrorism. Is the "Creator" expected to show Afghan militants as "Non Muslims"?
It is an artistic expression of a filmmaker duly passed by the nation's censors and has a rating! It is not displayed for all to see in public. Those who take a ticket may wish to continue watching or if some thing offends them they can walk out of the theater unrestricted. It is a pity that the State Government decided to bend backward to the extreme to accommodate such irrational and emotional argument from a group of people! It sets a bad precedent for a free democratic country!
This is the most absurd and biased decision, just to satisfy some who had held Kamal at ransom. How did the government take the decision that it is going to hurt minorities, even before it is released for public? Already censor board has viewed and cleared it for public screening after getting satisfied that it is safe for public viewing. It is very sad state of affairs from government to satisfy minorities for sake of their votebank.
really these groups should have some sense before doing these things. they should know tat movies are just for fun and we can learn many things through films thats too kamal hasssan films are watchable and sensible. I dont know y always legendary kamal films are targeted. v had similar issue with dasavataharam and it got hit too. dont worry sir this will be a hit
It is very sad that people are playing political games with the film. I
am a Muslim and I have full faith in Kamal Haasan as a person that he
would never portray any community in bad light. A man who has a Muslim
surname, how can he be even accused of portraying Muslims in bad light.
I hope the ban is lifted and the film is released as scheduled. A person
like Kamal Haasan deserves a better deal from the government.
People who raises these controversies should first understand that what is shown in films is not the ultimate reality. They should accept these films in terms of entertainment.
Why do we have a censor board if the Government can overrule them?
Where is the freedom gone? A story about one terrorist does not make the whole community a terrorist. It is time that artistists are allowed to present their perspective without
politicians reacting.
I am deeply disturbed with what is happening in Tamilnadu. Freedom of
expression and freedom of creative thinking is banned based on threats
from group of community leaders. We are going back to stone age.
This is a mockery of the government itself. What is the censor board there for? If there are any reservations about the content or a need to ensure how appropriate the content is for intended audiences, it is the Censor Board's job to point out to the maker(s). Once the board has cleared the product, the process is taken care of. This is a bit like passing an exam and then being told we need to swim across a river to go to the next class!
How can a film that's certified and cleared by the CBFC for public
viewing banned by the state government???It is the duty of CBFC to
decide not Govt. What is the purpose of CBFC???
I don't know what is going on in our Tamilnadu state. Already board of censor has cleared this film for screening and now suddenly state government imposed a ban on this film. Is it a way of freedom of expression? Now all are becoming a super censor!
Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Where are all those people who attacked our ears with their shrill protests when M F Hussain was tried in court for his objectionable paintings that hurt the religious sentiments? India's so called human rights' and freedom activists do not consider a particular community to fall under the perview of human rights or justice, it seems.
Where were the pseudosecularist when movies make liberal fun of Hindu
deities and God! I hope Kamal gets the money he invested. He is better of settling in
Hollywood.
What is the problem with these organizations? they get offended by
everything. If you take a movie about a terrorist, talk about terrorist they get
offended.
i personally feel pity for Kamal. he got backfired. what he is going to
say now.
Films have been accepted as a form of speech and expression. Hence, the
banning of the films brings us to the cardinal question do we have the
freedom of speech and expression?. Movie is the legitimate and the most
important medium in which issues of general concern can be treated.
Moreover, they are not openly screened for everyone. It is available to
only those people who are willing to buy tickets, go to the theatres
and watch them. Unwilling people can easily choose to stay away from
the movies. General public may be devoid of proper education but not
always of common sense. After being cleared by the Censor board,
restraining movies in the name of maintaining public peace, respecting
emotions of people and similar reasons are simply ridiculous,absurdand
immoral.
It is very unfortunate & can happen in our country very easily.
May be his absence from country become hindrance to convince local leaders at this
juncture.
He needs the support of local leaders for his ventures.
Please develop rapport with local governance & contribute for the local social welfare
schemes, visibly.
May God give you courage & wisdom at this hour. Best wishes.
It is very bad to ban a movie at the last miniute. Clarification should have been sought well before to know if there is any controvercy in the movie with even the protestors. The issue was there for long time and it is not a wise decision to ban it just 48 hours before the release.
When the censor board has permitted then how can this be stopped. Just because a fraction of politically motivated religious entities object should it be banned or postponed.
Why does religion interfere in arts. Many atheistic movies have been taken in the past with provocative language on the Hindu Gods and practices of Brahmins. People have taken it on strides as it is only a movie of fiction and not reality.In pre independance we saw this faction and we all know what happened. If this is allowed then this may reflect in everything. Already literary world has been affected. Now Movies.
Sad to see the state government trying to curb freedom of cinema, why, is it to appease
some who think it may hurt their religious feeling. How many times was any government
proactive when it comes to the majority religion.
''The Significance of Dasavadhram,Viswarupam in our mythology and Hindu beliefs is sacred than secular. May be the younger generations are too busy to attach importance to Religious feelings of Hindus.The ten Avadhars of Lord Vishnu including Rama and Krishna are revered and celebrated most of the year.And in almost all the Avatars we have the Viswarupam a darsan of Lord which ,makes the Bakthas to go into revelry Actually the objection should be to the titles itself.Incidently Kamal should not allow the Viswarupam to turn into the Vamana size at the end of all these controversies.
I can guarantee that a common Muslim citizen would never be affected by the movie's views. Leave it to the audience to decide. These community-driven parties are a problem to the entire community and society as they fear a movie (or any art for that matter) can change the entire fate of the religion. This is sheer insecurity. The TN politicians as always gives a nod for whatever the minority driven political parties put in, so called "safe politics". It all started with Kamal for holding a special screening for TNMMK. As said in one of the songs in the same movie, "You reap what you sow".
censon board is there , there is court. If people feel it shows them
in poor light they should have gone to censor board before it was
cleared or now they have go to court and seek remedy. Govt of tamil
nadu's duty is to maintain law and order and allow a person to carry
on his chosen trade. Feel sorry for Mr Kamal Hasan. Has it anything
to do with lok sabha elections and show the present ADMK
administration as protector of minorities . we do not know.
personalities like Kamal hasan and Mr Rajni kanth should take
decisive steps and clean tamil nadu politics by taking active
participation.
Very deplorable action by state govt. Why then we need a censor board? Let muslim organisations be the sensor board.
Kamal Sir >> This is not un-expected in today's regime. A second round of censors after obtaining the statutory certification from the Censors.!! And the powers that be would not have even viewed the movie - & yet judgement passed. When you sang "hosannas" of the parties in opposition in a different meeting, this ban is to be expected. On having faced such (or even more) trials & tribulations, this too would come to pass. Now the world is eager to see the movie. All the best.
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