After a stoic silence, support grew for Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam on Saturday from both the political arena and the film fraternity in Tamil Nadu.
In a statement here, similar in tone to actor Rajinikanth’s remarks made on Friday, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi advocated an amicable resolution to the controversy through talks.
Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S. Ramadoss strongly opposed the State government ban on the movie and suspected that it was “politically-motivated.”
Making a case for a settlement without delay, Mr. Karunanidhi said it was undeniable that both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth had respect and regard for Muslims.
Dr. Ramadoss said the actor, who had worked for Hindu-Muslim unity, could not have made a film that hurt the feelings of Muslims. In a statement, he said it was Kamal Haasan who strongly condemned the anti-Muslim riots in the wake of the demolition of the Babri Masjid and appealed to the then Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, to take stringent measures to prevent communal riots. “He is a member of Harmony India and is involved in many goodwill measures to promote Hindu-Muslim unity in the country.”
Dr. Ramadoss said there was a “political motive” behind the ban since the State government had imposed it without consulting anyone, even though the Central Board of Film Certification had cleared the movie for release.
In a scathing letter, veteran director Bharathiraaja lamented the silence on the part of prominent players of the Tamil film industry and called upon everyone to stand united in support of Kamal Haasan. It is “not just a ban faced by Kamal Haasan. I consider it a ban on the freedom of expression of every creative artist in the country,” he said.
Actor Ajith Kumar issued a statement in support of Vishwaroopam.
Meanwhile, Justice K. Venkataraman of the Madras High Court, who is hearing Raajkamal Films’ plea for lifting the ban, viewed Vishwaroopam to ascertain whether the film affected religious sentiments and to decide whether it was fit for release. Along with the judge, A. Navaneethakrishnan, Advocate-General; P.S. Raman, senior counsel for the petitioners and R. Sankarasubbu, counsel for Muslim leaders, watched the movie screened at a preview theatre here.
Justice Venkataraman had on Thursday posted his final orders for Monday (January 28).
Keywords: Vishwaroopam, Karunanidhi, PMK, Ramadoss, Tamil Nadu government, Kamal Hassan
Why no one raises the anti.Brahmin script that is included in the film. Will Mr. Kamal Hassan remove it, if it is allowed to release after additional censorship.
How come Dr.Ramdoss suddenly became peace loving apostle, when he does not want to live harmonoiusly with the SC & STs of Tamil Nadu?
The Al-Mighty only has to bring out his and Mr.Kamalahaasan's TRUE intentions? I think this can be amicably solved, if both the parties come to negotiating tables.
Wondering whether the actual reason for the Ban of Vishwaroopam is the religion issue or the hidden politics behind Kamal releasing the movie in DTH as well.!!!!!!!!!
Not sure of what social repercussions this film may have, but this movie
is horribly made. I watched it. It is just filled with silly humor,
amateurish, FBI is made to look stupid, if you want to make a movie of
real life incident then make it intelligent. The movie 0.30 is also
about the same topic, terrorism. But the subject has been handled so
maturely. Kolliwood has a long way to go!
A heroic religious true Muslim against terrorism, that is all the movie is about. I fail to
understand the ban on it and against what ? The true Muslim or terrorism.
Vishwaroopam ia about Al-Queida and its ruthless atrocities. Any normal human will not agree to its goal or terror activities. The film projects scenes where the film depicts a father punishing his children for learning and speaking English. The film is depicting only the violence of the group. Why the Muslims in general and Tamil Nadu muslims in particular object to the movie? By their objection they themselves unwittingly do more harm to the peace prevailing in TN and bring shame to their community as a whole.
They should come out openly and declare that they are against fundamentalist terrorism. They should welcome VISHWAROOPAM.
Mr Dawood.
The problem here is Islamic Terror is an eopidamic spanning all the
countries. However Hindutva terror is very native and is easily
controllable (Hindutva terror is yet to be proved though). So please
do not be in fool's paradise.
If a doctor detects a disease in you it is not the mistake of the
doctor it is the mistake of your body. So if someone releases a movie
of Islamic terror do not be angry on him but try to assess yourself.
@Arjun: I kindly request you to improve your General Knowledge.
Mr.Obama is not a Muslim, but a Christian. He has clarified it in
several occasions and US is not a Christian country, but secular one
(at least on paper).
IMHO, terrorism has no religion. And when it comes to Islam, you
cannot terrorise or push to extreme anyone. In Qur'an, if you check
2:143, it says about "Ummatan vasat" meaning includes: balanced
community or justly balanced community. And once Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) said "The Deen (religion) is Naseehah
(advice/sincerity)" reported in Sahih Muslim. So.. ignorance, pre
conceived notions, misconceptions, misunderstanding, ego and there are
many reasons among not only non-Muslims but also among Muslims caused
a lot, including this conversation.
So please do not combine Islam and terrorism.
@DAWOOD:Please do not comment anything before watching the movie based
on the news you hear . I respect your religion as a person who is living
in middle east for 3 years now . Please do remember the fact that Kamal
has made many comments against the hindu religion and the heroic GODS of
its religion . I hope you remember the song which was penned by him
about Hindu God for Manmadhan ambu .He has the freedom of expressing his
views which is a fundamental right in the peoples democracy we follow.
I seen,even the tamil industry people(except superstar) seeing the fear in expressing there concerns over this movie ban, i see dr.ramadoss showing the courage, hats off to him!!
was Hey Ram banned ? Why different yardsticks for different groups
First find out the root cause and resolve it. No point in arguing about
reaction..first focus on the action.
@Dawood: Hey Ram was pretty much about hindtuva terror. Kamal is just a
filmmaker, who wishes to entertain the people. Alienating a section of
his fans would be the last thing he would want to do.
Mr. Dawood,
The way religious terroris is going in India; be it Muslims or Hindus; Kamal may also make a film on Hindutva terror too.
Ultimately it is the common man who loses; whatever be his religion.
Relious terrorism of whatever nature has to be uprooted. It has no place in society.
As regard the Oscar nominations and what the Americans thinks about our movie... who cares. Let us set our house in order 1st.
Remember my friend,
United States is a Christian Country which has democratically elected a Muslim President. I don't know how many Islamic countries can even imagine of something like that. So don't label Americans anti Islamic. It is true that there is a fear psychosis post Sept 11 in America. But the average American surely appreciates a secular and tolerant Muslim.
For those who want him to show the hindutva terrorism..kindly see 'Hey Ram' his earlier directorial venture
Islamic terrorists not uncommon. They are spread from Thailand to US( east to west).
Kamala Hasan is said to have abandoned a movie on Barathiyar just because he had to show him as a drunkard and many Tamils will not accept the idea. So why not abandon this also because it hurts Indian muslims. Why the double standard? I believe both Ramadoss and Kamala Hasan alike are not trustworthy in their intentions, though they claim Hindu-Muslim unity. There are several other aspects of life in which the same can be portrayed than picking the sensitive and controversial topic of Islamic Terrorism or Hindutuva Terrorism to be fair with both sides.
Ok, some made it religion and now he is trying to make it politics.
It is very bad that people like kamal hassan are making such movies.
Thank Dr.Ramadoss,
thanks to ramadossji
If kamal is bold enough let him a take a film exposing Hindutva
Terrorism, which will be more truth-telling and aim a Oscar. Even his
Viswaroopam can contest for Oscar - Anything against Muslims will be
appreciated and rewarded by the Americans.
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