Kamal Haasan postpones release of 'Vishwaroopam'

Actor Kamal Haasan has postponed the release of his much-anticipated trilingual film 'Vishwaroopam' to suit 'his convenience' amid a face-off with a section of theatre owners over its premiere on DTH platform, but assured he would not let down the DTH partners.

"I will decide the (new) release date of my film," he told a hurriedly convened press conference here a day before the film was to be screened on the Direct-to-Home TV platform ahead of its theatre release on January 11.

He said the new date for both the DTH and theatre release would be announced by him based on his convenience.

The actor's path-breaking initiative to release the film on DTH platform at the rate of Rs 1,000 for Tamil version and Rs 500 for the Hindi and Telugu versions ran into trouble with a section of the theater owners objecting to it and threatening not to release it in theatres.

Stating that the decision to defer the release was taken also in the interest of Tamil film industry, he said he was well within his legal and moral rights to decide on the manner of selling his product.

He had issued notices to 13 persons whom he said had been trying to block his film's release. However, he declined to elaborate.

"This is the first authoritative response from me and (his production house) Rajkamal Films. I have decided to postpone the date of release of the film for my convenience. I am selling my product well within the legal ambit and I am fully aware of the legal implications...

"This (DTH mode) is not a selfish motive meant for me but it will soon become the common path for the industry," he said.

He, however said he was "very hurt" that the industry was not forward-looking. However he said he had no regrets despite little support forthcoming.

... contd.

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