'Vishwaroopam' controversy: Kamal Haasan thanks CM, rules out SC move for now

Clutching on to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's statement, actor Kamal Haasan today virtually ruled out moving the Supreme Court for now, saying he was thankful to Jayalalithaa's offer to break the impasse over 'Vishwaroopam'.

"I thank the Chief Minister. I am grateful to her. She has been kind enough to offer her help... now that she has helped us why should we go (to the Supreme Court)," he told a press conference in Mumbai after the premiere of the Hindi version of the film releasing tomorrow.

The 58-year-old actor was asked whether he would move the apex court against the Madras High Court order, staying release of the film that was banned by the state government in wake of objections raised by some Muslim outfits.

Breaking her silence a week after the ban exploded into a national controversy, Jayalalithaa said in Chennai this morning that she has no "personal grudge" against Haasan or "personal interest" in the ban.

She offered to facilitate an amicable settlement if Haasan and Muslim groups come together.

Finding fault with Haasan, she said government had made a request to him to show the movie to a few representatives of the Muslim organisations. "Had he done it, the problem would have been avoided. But he avoided showing the movie."

"If Muslim organisations and Kamal Haasan are ready to sit down and work out an amicable agreement, if he agrees to delete certain portions that are objectionable, then the decks would be cleared for screening of the movie, then Tamil Nadu government will do that to facilitate such an amicable settlement."

M H Jawahirullah, MLA, who raked up objections to some scenes in the film as hurting Muslim sentiments, welcomed the Chief Minister's statement and said he and 23 other Muslim outfits were ready to engage with the actor if a tripartite meeting is called.

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