Kamal Haasan's "Vishwaroopam" is likely to be released in Tamil Nadu this Friday as the state government has lifted the ban on its screening following an "amicable settlement" with the Muslim groups which raised objection to some of its scenes.
"Vishwaroopam" was released in theatres abroad and rest of the country but failed to hit screens in Tamil Nadu two weeks after it scheduled release date.
In spite of being cleared by the censor board, the state government has banned the screening of the film citing Section 144 of CrPC after Muslim organizations submitted a memorandum to restrict its screening saying that some scenes portray the community in bad light.
Paving the way for a peaceful release of the film in the state, Kamal agreed to mute seven scenes in the film and carry a disclaimer that it is a 'work of fiction and doesn't intend to hurt the sentiments of any community.' The settlement was reached at a meeting between the producer, government officials and representatives of Muslim groups on Sunday.
On Monday, Kamal withdrew the petition, which challenged the ban on his film, from the Madras High Court. The district collectors in the state have also revoked the prohibitory orders on the film.
The actor is expected to announce a new date for "Vishwaroopam" release in Tamil Nadu.
The film is doing well at the box office but the 11-day ban in Tamil Nadu has reportedly cost the producer between ₹30 and ₹50 crore.
The Madras High Court on Tuesday gave a nod to the screening of the film in Tamil Nadu after Justice K Venkataraman ruled in favour of Kamal. However, it didn't last long as the state government challenged the single-judge ruling, and a bench chaired by Justice Dharma Rao re-imposed the ban on Wednesday.
Disturbed by the controversy around his film, the 58-year-old actor threatened to leave Tamil Nadu and even India if he can't find a secular place in the country.
"If I cannot find a secular place in India, then I will find it in some other country," the visibly hurt actor told reporters on Wednesday. "M F Husain did it, now Haasan will do it. I will seek a living in India or abroad. When I have nothing to lose, I might as well choose. I will look for a place to stay from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, but not Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu wants me out. If I can't find it here, I will look for it abroad. Nothing will change the fact that I am a Tamil and an Indian, only my passport will change," he said.
