Chennai:
The Madras High Court will decide today whether actor Kamal Haasan's film Vishwaroopam should be banned in Tamil Nadu.
The government announced a two-week ban on the film last evening after protests by Muslim groups. Kamal Haasan, who has also directed the mega-budget 95-crore film, described the ban as "cultural terrorism" before he took his case to court. The film was set to release in 500 theatres in Tamil Nadu tomorrow.
The actor-director is not in the country.
Kamal Haasan had invited the leaders of Muslim organisations to a special screening of the film recently, but the viewing did not change their opinion that the movie "could disturb communal harmony."
Kamal Haasan said in a statement this morning, "My sensibilities are truly insulted. I've been ruthlessly used as vehicle by small groups seeking political profile. Icon bashing is a great way to be noticed when you are not one yourself. It is happening again and again. Any neutral and patriotic Muslim will surely feel pride on seeing my film. It was designed for that purpose." (
Read full statement)