Chennai:
Kamal Haasan's
Vishwaroopam is likely to finally hit theatres in Tamil Nadu this Friday, two weeks after the scheduled release. The state government has lifted its ban on the mega-budget film after the actor agreed to edit sound in seven scenes in what is being called an "amicable settlement" with several Muslim groups that had raised objections.
Today, Kamal Haasan formally withdrew his petition against the ban from the Madras High Court. The muting of the seven scenes will be done in the US to ready the film for release in his home state.
Under the compromise, which came after a marathon meeting between the producer, government officials and representatives of Muslim groups in Chennai, the film will also carry a prominent disclaimer that it is a work of fiction and does not intend to hurt the feelings of any community.
District collectors in the state had revoked the prohibitory orders under which the release of the film was banned yesterday. After his six-hour meeting, Kamal Haasan thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Home Secretary R Rajagopal for facilitating the talks and said he would announce a release date soon.
The film has had a very successful opening in the rest of the country, but in its biggest market, Tamil Nadu, the 11-day ban has cost the filmmakers an estimated Rs 30-50 crore. The movie will now have to compete for screen time with two other big weekend releases - Mani Ratnam's Kadal and actor Vikram's
David. Both are running to packed houses and have reported advance bookings.
The movie, which has been cleared by the country's censor board, ran into trouble in Tamil Nadu after some groups alleged it depicted Muslims in poor light. The Tamil Nadu government had banned the release of
Vishwaroopam in all 31 districts of Tamil Nadu for two weeks on January 23, saying it feared law and order problems. Kamal Haasan moved the Madras High Court against the ban, but the court upheld the state's order.
An angry Kamal Haasan said the government's attempts to block the movie appeared to be part of "a political game" and even threatened to leave India. "If MF Husain can do it, Kamal Haasan will do it... I am fed up. I am an artiste. If there is no secular state in India, I would go overseas." Later, at a press conference, the actor appeared sombre and said it was an "emotional outburst". But, he warned, "If this happens, again, I will leave the country."