Viswaroopam embroiled in a tangle

Viswaroopam,Kamal Hassan's movie was slated for release on Jan 25th.Earlier the film was slated to be pre-released in DTH before theatrical release on Jan 10th. But Kamal had to  defer the release due to protests from theater owners.Now the film faces a two week's ban imposed by TN government.TN government feels the release of the film could create Law and order issues.The government move is in response to the representations made by few Muslim organisations.Kamal Hassan arranged for a special premiere show for these Muslim organisations to allay their fears that Viswaroopam has content that is derogatory to Muslims or Islam .But Kamal's move has boomeranged on him,quite unexpectedly.Even before the premiere show, the actor reportedly said the Muslims would find nothing disparaging in the movie and they would invite him for biriani lunch on the Id e Milad Prophet Muhamed's birthday,which falls on Jan 24th .Ironically based on the representations of the Muslim organisations TN govt imposed the ban for the film on Jan 24th ,citing law and order issues. On a writ petition filed by Kamal,the Madras HC has banned the movie till Jan 28,when the judge would watch the movie with aggrieved parties and pass a judgement .

Earlier Muslim organisations demanded removal of certain scenes from Vijay starrer "Thuppakki" on the same ground. The Producer had to conciliate with representatives of Muslim organisations and remove objectionable scenes/dialogues.I also saw the movie and did not find anything objectionable.The general perception of these moral policing groups are that Muslims are portrayed as terrorists.The film content does not say all Muslims are terrorists.It is unfortunate that these groups fail to notice that among those fighting the terrorists,along with the hero,there was a Muslim character in the film "Thuppakki".On the ban of his film Kamal has commented "I am appalled,hurt and my sensibilites are insulted " .He still maintains this film is the most Muslim fiendly film he has seen .He says "any neutral and patriotic Muslim will surely feel pride on seeing my film".But Muslim organisations who have seen the film feels otherwise. One can comment on this only after seeing the film .

But the moot point is, the CBFC has cleared this film.All three versions ,Tamil,Telugu and Hindi have been certified by CBFC.When the CBFC has cleared the film can a state government ban the film on other grounds? .Dam 999 a film purportedly made on Mullaiperiyar issue was banned by the TN government.Incidentally, today SC has upheld the ban and refused to lift the ban on this film.So no one knows what could be in store for Viswaroopam. Kamal has called this as "cultural terrorism " and this must be stopped.

I feel, of late moral policing is on the increase.Political compulsions make political parties to support them.This in turn reflects how intolerant we are as a nation.Every artist or writer has a creative vision. It should not be curbed.Whatever a film maker does is only to strenghten his story and narration.Alongside creative freedom comes the social responsibility . Kamal says he "knows his responsibility  as a film maker " .We should respect his creative liberty. We are world's largest democracy .We are known for our pluralism .But the intolerance exhibited by some groups would erode the values of our pluralism.The protests should not be made for political gains .In the creative front we are becoming increasingly intolerant. Salman Rushdie was forced to cancel his visit to the Jaipur Literature Festival.Taslima Nasreen was forced to cancel her visit to Kolkatta.Aseem Trivedi a cartoonist was charged with treason.The U.S consulate  in Chennai was attacked by a political outfit,not long ago for an anti-Islamic movie made in U.S.TN government has banned movies on three earlier occasions also."Ore Oru Gramathile " was banned in 1987.Da vinci code was banned in 2006.Dam 999 was banned in 2011.Aarakshan an Amitabh starrer about reservation policy was banned in UP,Andhra and Punjab in 2011.

The film fraternity is backing Kamal Hassan against the ban imposed by the TN government.We do not know what would be the outcome of the writ petition filed by Kamal Hassan for lifting the ban on his film.But I was impressed by his moderate comments about the ban. Kamal is part of an organisation called 'Harmony India' which works for  Hindu Muslim Amity.He also said "I have always gone beyond the call of my duty as an actor to voice my opinion in favor  of what is humane and civil." If  Viswaroopam can testify this statement of Kamal,I am sure the ban will be lifted.