IANS/Chennai

 

Noted actor Kamal Haasan yesterday expressed his shock at the two-week ban ordered by the Tamil Nadu government on his film Vishwaroopam after objections from Muslim organisations.

He said he would seek a legal remedy.

In a statement Kamal Haasan said: “I have been ruthlessly used as a vehicle by small groups who seek political profile. Icon bashing is a great way to be noticed when you are not one yourself. It is happening again and again. Any neutral and patriotic Muslim will surely feel pride on seeing my film. It was designed for that purpose.

“Now I will rely on law and logic to come to our support. This kind of cultural terrorism will have to stop,” he added.

The film, which deals about the adversities of war, was mostly shot in the US and Afghanistan.

While he is touched by the support he and his film gets, Kamal added he was appalled at how his movie was construed to be against his Muslim brothers.

“I am not only hurt by these accusations of denigrating a community but my sensibilities are truly insulted,” said Kamal who has written, produced and directed the movie.

He said his statements in favour of the Muslim community have marked him as its sympathiser.

“I have always gone beyond the call of my duty as an actor to voice my opinion in favour of what was humane and civil. I have been part of an organisation called Harmony India which worked for Hindu-Muslim amity,” he added.

On Wednesday the state government banned Vishwaroopam for two weeks after around 25 Muslim organisations objected to the movie on the ground it portrays the community in bad light.

The Tamil and Telugu versions were slated for release today, while the Hindi version, titled Vishwaroop, is scheduled to come out on February 1.

When Muslim organisations had objected to the movie, the 58-year-old actor organised a special show for them to allay their fears.

However, the organisations hardened their stance after watching the movie, alleging that the community was shown in bad light.

Earlier, the film got into trouble when Kamal announced he would premiere it first on cable channels and then take to the theatres.

But when distributors objected, he had to revise his plans. Now the Tamil and Telugu versions will be aired on DTH (direct-to-home) a week after their release in cinemas.

The ban has left industry members like Prakash Raj and Madhur Bhandarkar upset and angry.

Filmmakers and actors took to Twitter to share their reactions to the ban, and unanimously pondered over the worth of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in the country.

Prakash Raj: Ban on Vishwaroopam. Not fair. This cultural terrorism should stop. We should stand for the right to express. We are with you Kamal sir.

Anubhav Sinha: Is the Tamil Nadu government saying that they do not recognise CBFC? Or they can’t handle law and order? Or they subscribe to the objection? When a government needs to ride on a movie star, you should know how intellectually and politically bankrupt they are.

Madhur Bhandarkar: I am appalled by the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to ban Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam after the film has been passed by the censor board. Not done.