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‘The good Muslims in the film are Indians’
Thanking Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for offering to break the impasse over the release of his film Vishwaroopam, actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan on Thursday virtually ruled out moving the Supreme Court on revoking the Madras High Court order that stayed the film’s release.
“I thank the Chief Minister. I am grateful to her. She has been kind enough to offer her help... now that she has helped us why should we go [to the Supreme Court]…I do not want to carry coals to Newcastle,” he said at a press conference here after the premiere of the Hindi version of the film, which was released here.
"She is an artist, she has understood, she has come forward. I am grateful,” he said.
On the issue of Muslims opposing his film, the actor said that for him, there was no religion. “For me there are only people. I really do love them [the Muslim community]. I request India — my Muslim brothers, Christian brothers, Sikh brothers to avoid such things. We have so much more to do to take India forward.”
Describing the support he got from the Muslim community as “unbelievable,” Mr. Haasan lauded his fans for being together through thick and thin with him.
“I am touched by the overwhelming support,” he remarked.
He further sought to know why he was being accused of hatred. “I mean no harm. The film [Vishwaroopam] is not about hurting Muslims. The good Muslims in the film are Indians and bad Muslims are terrorists who are not from India…I do not want to paint terrorism in any colour,” he said.
Muslims who were arrested for holding protests against the film were misled by rabble rousers, said Mr. Haasan.
“Kamal Haasan has never been accused of painting the Muslims in bad light. Islam is not targeting me...it is the politics...it is not religion,” he said.
The actor also thanked the media and the film fraternity profusely for extending their support to him on the Vishwaroopam controversy.
“In anger...in an emotional outburst, I said that I will leave the country. It does not mean I will do it... I enjoy the glory and fame. But if this happens again, I will seriously think of leaving. I am serious,” he said.
Asked whether the controversy on the film would push up box office receipts, Mr. Haasan said: “It is very silly to say I got good publicity; India did not get good publicity. What is the use of me getting good publicity when India's name is being dragged in the muck?”
Keywords: Vishwaroopam ban, Jayalalithaa reaction, Kamal Haasan, freedom of speech, Muslim outfits objection, Taliban, Afghan war
Now Kamal has become a good business man now as he knows how to make
compromises.All his speeches of an Artist does not hold good.Instead let
him say that Money comes on the priority rather than the Art/Cinema.
First this is not a controversial movie, if it is then half the movies
taken by Hollywood in the year 2009 will be under that category as well
as the "Hey Ram" Movie. This is just an action flick. Its really sad
even imagine that a great country like ours the survived so many horrors
could break down if someone releases a movie like this.
@Thiagarajan, Excellent Comments!
I am trying to understand the logic here:
1. TN government should uphold the Law and Order.
2. Constitution is the fundamental law of the land.
3. Constitution guarantees "Right to freedom which includes speech and expression"
4. Movie is lawfully produced by a citizen of India excericising the freedom of expression.
5. TN Govt - Chief Minister says she cannot allow this 'freedom of expression' due to threats recieved from groups and is unable to commit resources to protect law and order.
6. Therefore it means TN Govt is unable to uphold constitutional law in the state.
Anyway you look at it at this point this ban looks unconstitutional. Let us hear from the judges.
I respect the Politicians; I respect the cinema artists; I respect Muslims and their religion.
Here is the problem I see in our country: While my city corporation & Panchayat declares that they have NO money or solution to fix the damaged roads or provide basic facilities like a drainage collection, water supply or street lights, these cine actors have loads of cash to make a movie....100 Cr. bove all, the respected artist threatens the media that he will leave the country and of all other important things that the Chief Minister has to pay attention, she is now devoting her valuable time to negotiate this issue with concerned parties. Is there any logic in this system? Citizens of this country have to wake up. Does the CM or the cini artist worry when YOU have NO cash in hand to purchase 1 kg of good quality rice for a decent supper at home with your kids? think about this.
The Hindu -needs to focus on poverty that is rocking the country and ask the politicians to make life better
Kamal is not only a good actor, he is a good human being. I growed up with his filmes and every film he do has a new view of style, message, vision and technology. Tamil cinema industry lived and living with a fantacy world who couldn't accept the real world and fact. Kamal always come forward to show the need of new moment in cenema and cenema world. So, please "Tamil Naadu", let him speak the truth as a human being; not stamp him as a religious man. Every one is equal in this world and do not misuse religion and do not corner a human being who is critisize one man terrorism, group terrorism and state terrorism in the name of religion.
India is a secualar democracy and the Govt has a duty to defend the rights of citizens for free speech. The film was seen by the Central Board of Film Censors and they have given their approval to the same as they found nothing offensive in it. So, why is the CM not doing her duty to enforce law and order and protect free speech? There seems to be no limits to vote bank politics. It is also unfortunate that the High Court has not directed the Tamil Nadu Govt to fulfil its statutory obligations under the Constitution.
Kamal Hassan is a fine genuine artist. In Tamil nsdu, when the
delivery of fiery but hollow dialogues and 'Theru koothu' style of
actions ruled the cine world under the stranglehold of a political
party, it was Kamal Hassan who showed what 'action' meant really in
the roles that he donned in his first few films. It is very
unfortunate that such a talented artist is now caught in the whirlpool
of our corrupt political system. threatening to extinguish his
professional career. Hope that the dark clouds obscuring him would
pass off quickly without causing any damage.
India is good as long as you (Mr.Kamalhasan)made crores and crores of rupees over the past many decades as a successful actor. But for some legal reasons one of your film is delayed then you want to leave the country. Is this patriotism?
The explanation given by CM of TN was fully convincing!Kamal having
made a controversial film at an enormous cost has played a game to win
sympathy of the masses!The nadir was his threat of self-exile!
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