Telugu version of Kamal Haasan’s much-publicised film Vishwaroopam release took place amidst fits and starts in Andhra Pradesh on Friday. The screening was suspended for one day in the State capital, because state government did not want any trouble on ‘Milad-un-Nabi’, birthday of Prophet Mohammed.
It is understood that a delegation of leaders from the Old City approached Home Minister P. Sabita Reddy and the City Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma asking for a halt to the screening until they could see the film themselves, to verify if there were indeed any scenes that could hurt the feelings of the community.
Notwithstanding the request, the morning show went on uninterrupted all over the State. However, at the Prasad’s Multiplex, the show was stopped midway, slightly after 12 noon, and viewers were refunded their ticket money. No one from the office of the distributor was available for comment. Till the evening however, there was no clarity as to the position, about whether screening would be resumed and when it would happen.
A.P. Film Chamber of Commerce president Tammareddy Bharadwaja said it was screened as scheduled and that one full show happened without interruption, except in 14 theatres located in ‘communally-sensitive’ areas. Once the film was cleared and certified by the Censor Board, suspending its screening was ‘unfair’, he added.
Actor Prakash Raj termed the ban as "not fair" and said it was time to put a halt to what he called "cultural terrorism."
Keywords: Vishwaroopam ban, Kamal Haasan, Muslim groups protest
@SYED:
Hinduism may preach love and Righteousness but not every person who
follows the religion is for love and Righteousness. Same can be said
about any religion in this world.
I watched this movie yesterday and I don't feel Kamal denigrates your
religion in this movie. This movie is about Taliban and Alquida. So
you cannot expect him to show anything religious as they are religious
extremists. If you are rebutting the things that he show in the movie
about those extremists as untrue then you are in denial. He himself
comes as a Muslim in this movie.
There have been movies like Mr and Mrs Iyer and Kamal's Heyram where
it shows horrible things committed by certain Hindus in the name of
God and religion. That doesn't mean the religion is bad.
I feel Kamal is the not the real culprit here. Its the people who are
protesting against this movie bringing a bad image for Islam.
Why all this anger over a film and story?
The movie is based in Taliban infected Afganistan so it shows the Talibans and their wrong doings.
Unfortunately they follow the religion Islam so the movie characters play the same!
How can this be degeneration of a religion?
for example: Can it be said that the story Kite Runner is against Islam? Even in it the story is based in Afganishtan and the Talibans are shown as wrong doers.
The Hindu society is based on the science of Righteousness.Each of the religions of the world has its own culture, with many customs, traditions and refined qualities. The Hindu culture is a culture of love, respect, honoring others and humbling one's own ego so that the inner nature, which is naturally pure and modest, will shine forth.
Whileso, is it appropriate on the part people like Kamal Hassan and the Indian film industry,who are hell bent on denigrating Muslims and their religion for many years now.Film industry is the root cause for disharmony among communities in our country. Hindu organisations and political parties have fought against the forces, which have denigrated Hinduism time and again. Film stars and the industry are like mercenaries. They can defame their own family and nation for sake of money. Stop advocating the devils here.
@Madhavan. Its better you understand this and advise your community to stop this denigration on Muslims, be it by any medium. Muslims are being neglected,marginalised and branded terrorists in India. If minorities or for that matter any community is marginaliased in any democratic country, expect radicals and disillusion arising from them.
India and its majority population, the Hindus should understand their constitutional obligations. Encroaching Muslim Heritage places and demolishing them to avenge the past is not Indian Constitution.The Hindu newspaper gave an irrefutable evidence on the encroachments at Charminar. To obligate supreme court rules, it seems the Congress government is not sincere, given the vote factor here.
@All those readers who support Kamal Hassan and the forces which denigrate other religions. What's your stance when its done on your faith? Will you call it as an expression of freedom? I am sure you guys having double standards! If not prove me wrong.
this is really crazy and i think our cops have lost their backbone even with their power.if a minority group can bring the police dept to knees what good it is to have police. they are there to protect people in such cases. they have caused a big loss to good actor and the quality of life is at stake. if people dont rise up and protest now they will be hurt more in future.the tamilnadu government is weak and should not be given a chance at the centre as this will make the center weak as well and whole country will be in toruble.people beware and show your strength at the election for parliament
This incident made "Kamal Hassan" is international person, by releasing his thoughts wordwide excluding his native state :).
Even after censor board clearance, why this happening in recent days.
His audience is worldwide and soon, his second part should be released in language of English and dubbed to state language.
What is the point of having a censor board, when they are not empowered
to take such decisions. If all the politicians are the ones who can
decide the fate of such big artists, then why sit in the assembly or
parliament. they can very well sit in the censor board?.. totally
attrocious
Have we lost the confident on censor board ? Are we living a democratic
country ? If this continues every producer has to approach the court for
justice....We feel there are so many important cases to be disposed by
the court...Please do not waste the time of court and judges !
Are the Govts gone crazy or we as people overall. So, what if its Muslim festival today? So we are bound to agree that the movie shows Muslims in bad light WITHOUT watching it??? The movie has no intent nor does it show Muslims in a degraded way. Is KERALA or MALAYSIA burning now??? Please answer my dear Muslim friends, you are a very tight knit group and sect! You cannot bow down to few organizations in one state bound to stop a movie. Its just a MOVIE by a Great Indian Movie Legend, is he mad to hurt sentiments on a movie produced with crores?
We - The Hindus and Muslims should unite and find people who are creating such feelings amongst us, make us tools and target such movies. CORRECT?
Yes, brothers..ARISE!!! SPEAK UP...no review has stated Muslim degradation in the movie...so many have watched in other states and countries!
I HAVE A DREAM - UNITY WITHOUT FEAR!!
But why stop after censor board has cleared it and why only for one day
and why only in twin cities ? Sometimes more questions arise in ones
mind than get answered
After forced to take action on Owaisi hyd govt's desperate attempt to vouch back for "secularism", whatever that word means in India.
Great, Thanks to all Politicians. Is this the True democracy we are
living in ? Expression of thoughts is restricted.
this is nothing but curtailing the freedom of speech of artists , which is to be denounced by all lovers of democracy. As clearly stated in the editorial of THE HINDU, it is the responsibility of the law enforcement authorities to maintain law and order . it is not correct banning films ,once they are censored.
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