Many fans of Kamal Haasan literally went the distance to watch Vishwaroopam in Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh over the weekend.
Bangalore was the most preferred destination given the five-hour drive. “We spent about Rs. 3,000 per person because we ended up staying overnight,” says Javeeth Ahmed, who works as a sales executive in a multi-national company. “But it was worth it. Four of us on a road trip to Bangalore, listening to Kamal Haasan songs all the way. We are all die-hard fans and generally catch the first day, first show. It’s a story we will tell our grandchildren.”
Did he find the ban warranted or anything objectionable? “Kamal has taken Indian cinema to the next level technically and story-wise as well. It was like watching a Hollywood film. It shows what happens with extremists. It shows terrorists who kill in the name of religion,” says Javeeth.
Sreedhar Pillai, trade analyst and film critic, had booked first day, first show tickets at Sathyam to watch the film with Auro sound. “On Thursday night, I realised the film was not coming out in Chennai. So I booked the first flight to Kochi. I was scared the film would be banned even before release. I went straight to Ernakulam and caught the film first day, first show.”
“There’s nothing objectionable in the film. This film is set in Afghanistan and New York. Of course, Kamal has taken the liberty to show the villain speak in Tamil. But overall, it was a great experience. I will never forget it. I always watch his films first day, first show.”
Rajthilak, a lawyer, who drove down with his friends to Bangalore, observes the irony: “He wanted us to watch the movie at home on DTH. And we ended up going to Bangalore. On going to Bangalore, we found there was a ban in some of the theatres. We found one on the outskirts of Bangalore, where the film was playing. There was nothing against Muslims in the film. They went on to increase the number of shows from three to five screens after the ban was lifted.”
