Vishwaroopam ban: Kamal Haasan says, 'don't let artistes like me get into trouble'

Haasan thanked the fans for their love, saying the controversy gave him an opportunity to understand that.

After his emotional statement that he could stand to lose his property pledged towards the making of the film, they had sent cheques and DDs in his name.

He said he had maintained his position and not involved in any "subterfuge' as regards the film. Earlier, TMMK, that was part of the 20-odd organisations that protested against the film, thanked Jayalalithaa for supporting the minority community.

"Despite a lot of criticism, she stood by the minorities," MH Jawahirullah, president of TMMK, said in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

On the first controversy over his decision to release the film on the Direct-to-Home platform, which was ultimately red-flagged by exhibitors, Haasan said he will hold talks with them to see how the issue "can be taken forward."

Vishwaroopam, originally scheduled for January 25 release, started screening in some theatres as early as 6 AM today.

The two-week ban on the spy-thriller, centring around terror, triggered a wave of support for Haasan, who had threatened to go on a self-imposed exile. The actor said he had pledged his house and other property for the Rs 100 crore film.

The Hindi and Telugu versions were released without much ado and Tamil also in Kerala and Karnataka. A Madurai report said the film was released in six theatres in the city and five in rural areas.

City theatre owners said tickets had been booked fully for the next three days.

Haasan fans

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