TN bends to pressure, suspends release of Kamal Haasan’s Viswaroopam for 2 weeks

Bowing to pressure from Muslim outfits, Tamil Nadu Wednesday suspended the release of Kamal Haasan's latest film Viswaroopam for two weeks. The film, also produced and directed by Kamal Haasan, was to be released worldwide on Friday.

Muslim outfits in the Federation of Islamic Movements and Political Parties had demanded a pre-release screening of the film, alleging that it portrayed Muslims as terrorists. Kamal Haasan had rejected the charge, but arranged a screening leaders of the community. After watching the film, the leaders reiterated that it showed Muslims as terrorists.

They approached the Chennai police commissioner on Tuesday and the state chief secretary on Wednesday to demand that the film not be released. Considering all aspects, including the fact that Friday is the holy day of the Prophet's birthday, the government asked district collectors to suspend the screening of the film for two weeks.

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