A day after an emotional outburst on his self-exile over hurdles in the release of “Vishwaroopam” , actor Kamal Haasan on Thursday said he is “still hurt”, but would wait before moving the Supreme Court against the state government’s ban on its screening.
The actor also sought to stay clear of the talk of politics being played out in placing impediments for release of his film, saying “Please leave me out of that.”
He was replying to a query on DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s statement, suggesting a political angle to the ban on the spy thriller, made on a budget of nearly Rs 100 crore.
“I am still hurt, but calm,” Mr. Haasan said to a question on the developments surrounding the film, which made him declare he would exile himself from Tamil Nadu and even the country if he does not find a secular place.
The actor’s remarks came as the interim relief granted by a single judge permitting release of the film was set aside by Madras High Court on Wednesday.
On Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tiwari’s suggestion that there was a need to “revisit” the cinematograph Act to ensure decisions of the Censor Board are implemented, Mr. Haasan said, “He has spoken his (view).... The matter is sub-judice.”
Mr. Haasan, meanwhile, left for Mumbai to promote the Hindi version of the film. The actor’s brother Chandrahaasan said “politics is not behind” the developments.
The trilingual movie first courted controversy when screen-owners red-flagged his decision to release it on DTH platform.
Muslim groups opposed the movie saying Haasan had depicted Islam in an objectionable way and moved the state government to ban the movie.
Subsequently, District Collectors evoked legal provisions to ban screening of the movie.
