Major setback for Kamal Haasan

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Chennai: In a major setback, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday stayed the release of the controversial film Vishwaroopam.Quashing the interim order of a single judge that lifted the ban on screening of the film, the court asked Kamal Haasan to file a counter to the appeal filed by the Tamil Nadu government.Earlier, Kamal Haasan agreed to edit out some controversial scenes in his latest film Vishwaroopam and said all issues surrounding the film have been solved with “my Muslim friends”.Addressing the media, he said the scenes that have used the verses from the holy Quran would be clipped out. Scenes where prayers are being offered before a terrorist attack may also be chopped at the editing table.He said he was alarmed at reports of violence even as miscreants attacked a few theatres in Chennai and threw a petrol bomb at a theatre in Ramanathapuram. Nobody was hurt.Earlier, Kamal Haasan  threatened to move out of Tamil Nadu and said an unnecessary furore is being created over his latest film Vishwaroopam and wondered how his secular credentials are being questioned when he is an Indian first and does not follow any religion.He said it looks like Tamil Nadu wants him out of the state and he may chose a secular state to settle down. But he added that he will continue to write and make films in Tamil.“M F Hussain was driven out of India, now Haasan may also have to leave India if things get bad and for no reason,” he said.He said he was a law abiding citizen and owed no taxes. “I have pledged all my properties in Chennai for making this film (Vishwaroopam). If he does not get his money, he will be free to take over all my properties in Chennai and I may have to find a secular State to settle down,” he added.“I am waiting for the judgement in the appeal (filed by the TN government against the HC order lifting the ban on screening the film) and I shall chose to take appropriate action. The film is being screened in other states without any problem. I have not hurt the sentiments or religion of Indian Muslims”, he said.He refused to comment to a question on how an artiste who is heading the state (J Jayalalithaa) is now moving the court against an artiste’s right to expression.