‘Viswaroopam’: The Worries of a Fan

Kamal Hassan‘s ‘Viswaroopam’
(Promotional Poster)

Today had been absolutely disgusting with me trying to watch Kamal Hassan’s new film ‘Vishwaroopam’ only to understand while booking the ticket that the release has been stalled in Hyderabad because of a police intervention. Originally made as a bilingual film (in Tamil and Hindi, simultaneously), Vishwaroopam had been dubbed into Telugu as well. I’d prefer watching it in Tamil, being proficient in it but desperation had changed my decision and I was willing to watch it in any language; Telugu, Hindi or anything… Now this week will be gone without being able to watch it because of other priorities and I’m not even sure if it will be playing in the next weekend!

Kamal Haasan (Photo credit: Surajram Kumaravel)

I’ve been a fan of Kamal Hassan as long as I can remember and watch all his films in theatre. Though disappointing some times, watching Kamal perform is something I’d blindly pay for any day. Known for making films with technical brilliance, Kamal Hassan is an admirable figure in Indian film industry. Apparently, certain religious groups have issues with his films. Some Muslim organizations have demanded that the film be banned in Tamil Nadu because they ‘think’ that the portrayal of Taliban in the film in which Kamal Hassan plays a double agent might hurt religious sentiments in the state. I do not understand how a film can hurt religious sentiments. The fact that is worrying me is that if there are people amongst who gets hurt by the portrayal of Taliban, shouldn’t we be worried as hell? When the Constitution grand us Right to Freedom of Expression as one of our Fundamental Rights, why can’t a film maker go on with his creation? Who are these numerous petty organizations to stall the screening of a film? The spineless Tamil Nadu government has played into their hands and banned it anyway and I was expecting to watch it in Andhra Pradesh as the state hasn’t banned it here.

People who have watched the film in the U.S, U.K and Australia have posted online that it is a wonderful watch and they have not found anything that could hurt religious sentiments. Now, when there is a censor board in this country, which has given its approval to this film, how can a group claim to take law into their hands? Rather than giving protection to the screening of the film, the Police have apparently asked the theatre owners to stop showing it and I am very much sure that the governments have seen the potential vote banks among these moronic minority groups and have played accordingly.

I just hope, I’ll get to watch this film as soon as I can. ‘Bookmyshow.com’ says there are tickets available for Tuesday but I’m hesitant to book it. What if they stall that show too resulting money loss. Apparently, I will have money loss this week according to my Sunday morning horoscope!!!

P.S: They say Kamal Hassan is anti-Muslim. It is ironic because being born a Hindu and known as an atheist he hasn’t given up his surname ‘Hassan’ (which is an Islamic surname) that his father has given him to honor a friend. I hope the agitators see that they have a considerably smaller brain and it is fruitless to continue doing meaningless protests like this because the number of Kamal Hassan fans are far too astronomical than their followers. If you are so hurt, I suggest you don’t watch the film or get a good pain killer from the nearest medical shop.