After being mired neck-deep in controversy for over a week, filmmaker and actor Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam emerged in the clear for a theatrical release in Tamil Nadu, where it was blocked by a State government ban.
Stepping out from a five-hour-long deliberation with Muslim organisations opposed to the film’s release, at the Secretariat on Saturday evening, the actor said he had agreed to carry out a list of cuts to the content and would apprise the Central Board of Film Certification of the changes, and then decide upon a release date.
“I thank the State government for facilitating the talks and allowing both sides to reach an amicable settlement. After the talks with the Muslim groups, we have mutually agreed on certain changes to the content. I have also explained to them the technological challenges in agreeing to certain requests. Everything has been sorted out.”
The actor was accompanied by his brother S. Chandrahasan to the meeting. On behalf of the Muslim organisations — 15 persons representing the Federation of Tamil Nadu Muslims Social and Political Organisation and Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath — participated in the meeting. Tamil Nadu Home Secretary R. Rajagopal oversaw the tripartite meeting. At the end of the marathon meeting that went on till 8 p.m., Kamal Haasan, on behalf of Rajkamal Films International, gave a written undertaking to the Muslim groups to carry out the cuts agreed upon.
In his concluding remarks to the media, the actor said: “We have decided to withdraw our petition in the case [in the Madras High Court]. I am hopeful that the government would lift the ban.”
While the actor did not dwell on the nature of changes, representatives of the Muslim organisations who participated in the meeting said that in all, seven cuts, a few audio mutes and a title card disclaimer had been agreed upon. Speaking to The Hindu, M.H. Jawahirullah, MLA of the Manitha Neya Makkal Katchi, the political wing of the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, said the Muslim organisations submitted a 15-point charter of demands and both sides had presented their views. Those who participated included Mohammed Munir and R. Rahamatullah of the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath and Mohammed Hanifa on behalf of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Muslims Social and Political Organisation.
Keywords: Vishwaroopam ban, Kamal Haasan, Muslim outfits protest, Jayalalithaa government, freedom of expression
Whether merit is there or not, again and again this type mob culture only has own this senseless battle in India. At the same time we may also forced to think that as a producer Mr.Kamal Hassan deserves for this hurdles. Because in his earlier movies like "Dasaavathaaram" had hurt "Hindu religious sentiments very badly
Good luck to Viswaroopam team! Against all odds ready to Vow. we are still eagerly waiting to watch this Magnum opus. As everyone witnessed its just a vicious cycle of events that lead to confusion and hassle. Hope we don't get to face these issues in the future and give the artist his/her freedom to express their views, esp. if its concerned about the world community. Hope the new era brings young talents to showcase world issues instead of continuous repertoires of romantic melodrama!
films must show a prenote that characters are fictional .any resemblance is purely coincidental.
How come all the TN media turn towards in support of the release of this film, While this film is justifying the war on afghan and Iraq.? All these days, there were at least some media in TN were against the war on Afghan and IRAQ and written headlines against the war on afghan. How come all the media in TN turned and support the film which is against their previous stand on war on other nation?
Watched Kamal Haasan addressing the media after the talks. It feels like
his words are wasted. The so called champions-of-the-community will
never accept him as their brother no matter how many times he calls them
"Muslim Brothers". The real muslim brothers who are ordinary citizens
may not need addressing as they never had any issues with this whole
thing. These self promoting groups bring bad name to the community and
our nation. They talk in length about damage to cultural harmony but
sadly that is exactly what they have achieved.
Now, this is just sad. What is the point in having a central film
certification board when every organization which has strength in
numbers to mobilize crowd can start censoring movies? What if tomorrow
some other group comes up and says they were not involved in these
discussions and now they are offended? The government should not have
entertained these requests and should have nipped them at the bud. A
really sad day for creativity and so much for the spirit of democracy
indeed!
Hereafter to avoid such 'heart-burn' among the Govt.,Actors/producers
and the Affected,any film to be produced on sensitive themes like Terrorism,Anti-people issues etc.,has to get the prior approval of its
Film scripts by any Statutory Body comprising competent Persons before the commencement of the Film production in the larger interest of the Nation at large.Will the concerned come forward to co-operate in this new direction with suitable ,practical changes?
The entire episode is setting a very wrong precedence in India, it is deplorable. As a person
living in a democratic country I do not have to placate others to express myself. I support the
right to express dissent, in a civil way, as much as I support to express myself freely. After
all, the movie was released in neibhouring states where Muslim population is larger than
that of TN.
I saw the movie and I am still wondering what scene or dialogue is so offensive that
warranted the controversy it did. I think I have to see the movie again, after editing, to figure
that out.
Although Kamal Haasan can heave a sigh of relief now that the decks have been cleared for the release of his film 'Vishwaroopam' his disillusionment might not disappear altogether for eventually he had to compromise and chop a few scenes. The whole sordid affair however leaves a bad taste in the mouth and Kamal and film makers like him have to tread warily in future lest they find themselves in deep trouble.
Wrong Trend set by Tamilnadu Government ............ It is just begining............ Now, each and every religion will keep close eye on each movie and will do everything as what happened to Vishwaroppam............. It is clear example of INTOLLERANCE. If other states in India accept this movie as it is, why not in Tamilnadu ?
A sad day for democratic ideals in India, and TN in particular. If this
is the fate of a prominent personality like Kamal Hassan when it comes
to freedom of expression, you wonder what is the plight of the common
citizen! An unwelcome precedent has been set when it comes to pandering
to the demands of vested interest groups.
OK, now lets start consultation of religious organisations for every
single project otherwise they may easily get offended. Here the whole
meaning of judiciary, democracy, civil services, elected govt has been
breached by the religious minds.
First death knell for free speech - a fundamental right assured by our constitution. Hats off for a concerted effort to bring this!
Please lets block all movies having any religious characters, with costumes depicting Brahmins, Christians, Dalits or other cultural sect!
Long live secularism.
Tamilnadu government has set a very bad and dangerous precedent. In future, any
religious, caste or fringe group which can muster enough goondas to create violence,
will demand the same privilege to censor films, books, or other art forms, or even
public behavior. Vote bank politics is taking India down a very slippery path into a
bottomless pit. India will pay a heavy price because of the short sighted policies of
the rulers.
Shame that Kamal had to compromise on this illogical protest. Here is a
clear cut example of deceiving democratic and secular policies using
fascist methods. Resolution of this issue will only lead to
permeation of more protest against free speech.
Glad it came to an end. All the media was projecting this problem like there is no other critical issue concerning the nation. In the end, Kamal stands to gain by this free publicity in 24x7 channels for over a week, for which he may otherwise would have had to pay. He should really thank the protesters and the Government for imposing a 2-week suspension of release. It was highly comical that the TV media went hysterical about this whole thing, sensationalizing this to the core, and making it a frredom of speech issue. Now that the issue is sorted out, are they now going to say that the freedom of speech has come back? Please...!!!
Kamal Hassan's offensive on Brahmins continues unabashedly in this movie and yet many Brahmins have shamelessly kept quiet about it. If the Muslim groups can get the actor to cut out certain objectionable portions, why can't the Brahmins get him to cut out that entire scene, so irrelevant to the movie itself; at least get him to cut the audio and subtitles to that scene! It is because Brahmins do not speak with one voice, and because a lone voice (like mine) does not get published. the Brahmins get pounded on by the likes of Kamal Haasan. May be we deserve to be treated this way!!!
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