The sudden cancellation of the shows of Uttama Villain disappointed Kamal Hassan’s fans in Bengaluru, who watched their favourite star on screen two years ago in Vishwaroopam . Theatre managements in the city had a hard time convincing the audience gathered early in the morning on Friday that they would not get to watch the film.
The screening of the film was cancelled in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, besides Karnataka, because of alleged differences between the producer and the distributor.
Theatres such as Urvashi, Sampige, Lavanya, Mukunda and Anjana were decorated with Kamal Hassan’s cut-outs and banners by the Karnataka Kamal Hassan’s Fans’ Association by Thursday.
“We are disappointed with the cancellation of shows. Helpless theatre officials returned the ticket amount,” said R. Valu, president of Karnataka Kamal Hassan Fans’ Association, hoping for an early release. Kannada audience are also equally disappointed, as Uthama Villain is the ambitious directorial venture of Ramesh Arvind, a well-known Kannada actor.
He hoped the problem would be sorted out and film will hit screen “any time soon.” The film, which premiered in Malaysia and Dubai, received an overwhelming response, according to Mr. Ramesh.
The film was recently embroiled in a controversy because the Tamil Nadu unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) sought a ban saying a song in the film hurt the sentiments of Vishnu devotees. However, the Madras High Court dismissed the petition filed by the VHP.
