Kamal Haasan fans and cinema-goers were unable to watch Vishwaroopam as demonstrators opposed the screening and staged agitations in front of cinema houses here on Wednesday.
Police were deployed at six theatres in the city and five in the peripheries. No untoward incident was reported, according to police. Assembled fans were told to disperse. The agitators sought an assurance that the cinema houses would not screen the movie.
Tense moments were witnessed in front of a cinema house near Periyar bus stand as the actor's fans demanded the screening of the film. Theatre staff requested the fans to remain calm.
ADVERTISEMENT
Armed with newspaper copies, the fans appealed for police protection for cinema houses and the arrest of agitators. Amudan, from Ellis Nagar, who had come to the theatre with his friends as early as 8 a.m. said, “Police present inside the cinema house instructed the theatre staff not heed the fans appeal.” However, an Inspector of Police said that the police wanted to maintain law and order.
“Like you all, we are also waiting for a clear instruction from the authorities concerned,” he was heard telling the fans.
After the Madras High Court stayed the ban late Tuesday night, Kamal fans began queuing up at the cinema house since morning. As time passed, the delay in screening only irritated them and they dispersed shortly after 4 pm.
ADVERTISEMENT
Around 100 police were deployed for bandobust in the city and peripheries, a senior officer said and added that the arrangement would continue until further orders.