Madras HC to pronounce verdict on Kamal Haasan's 'Vishwaroopam' today

New Delhi: The Madras High Court on Monday is expected to pronounce its verdict on Kamal Haasan's controversial film 'Vishwaroopam' and whether it can be released in Tamil Nadu. The actor-director landed in Chennai late at night from Los Angeles but refused to comment on the matter.

'Viswaroopam' was banned last week after Muslim groups protested over the alleged portrayal of the community as terrorists, and a high court judge viewed the film over the weekend. 'Viswaroopam' was scheduled to be released on January 25.

Meanwhile, the release of the film scheduled for Sunday in Karnataka, has been put on hold pending clearance from police in the wake of protests against its screening in some places of the state.

The film was banned last week after Muslim groups protested over the alleged portrayal of the community as terrorists.

The film was slated to be released in 40 theatres across the state, including 12 in the city. But its opening was delayed as Bangalore Police Commissioner Jyothiprakash Mirji wanted to view it before giving the nod for its screening, sole distributor of the multi-lingual movie in the state HD Gangaraju said.

Mirji watched the Rs 100 crore budget film at a special screening this afternoon but is yet to convey his decision, Gangaraju said. The film, facing a two week-ban in Tamil Nadu due to its alleged anti-Muslim content, hit screens worldwide on January 25 but its release was deferred in Karnataka till today following a police suggestion in view of "Milad-un-Nabi" and Republic Day.

However, Mirji on Sunday expressed his wish to view the film before giving permission for its release in view of a group clash in Bhadravathi on Saturday over the screening of the film, Gangaraju, also a former President of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, said.

Tension gripped Bhadravathi town in Shimoga district when two groups clashed over the screening of the film, prompting police to use canes to disperse them. The district administration had imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC for 48 hours in the town.

With additional information from PTI

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