Kamal Haasan anguished at unwarranted controversy
If I do not find a secular place in India, I will have to look for another country.
CHENNAI: Kamal Haasan is certainly fed up beyond limits over the controversy surrounding the release of his ambitious tri-lingual project Vishwaroopam.
The actor and filmmaker held a press conference in Chennai earlier today where he expressed shock and disappointment at the way things were panning out.
A day after the High Court had lifted the ban on the release of Vishwaroopam, the State Government of Tamil Nadu challenged the order of the High Court.
An emotional Kamal Haasan said, "There are various reasons given to me as to why this is happening, none of them makes sense to me.
The fact is I still need to get any relief." He further added, "I think Tamil Nadu wants me out. I will wait for a secular place to live in from Kashmir to Kerala leaving Tamil Nadu.
f I do not find a secular place in India, I will have to look for another country. MF Husain had to do it, now Haasan will have to do it."
Vishwaroopam was supposed to release on Jan 25. However, the release was stalled following protests by members of a Muslim group who felt that the film portrayed their community in bad light. Haasan feels that the whole thing has been blown out of proportion unnecessarily and has now become a political agenda against him.
‘Vishwaroopam’: SC appeal only after HC verdict on Feb 6, says Kamal Haasan’s brother
Kamal Haasan will not be lodging an appeal with the Supreme Court right away. Kamal Haasan’s brother, Chandra Haasan, informed the waiting media that they would wait for the High Court’s final verdict which is due on February 06 before taking a decision on whether to take the matters further or not.
This came on the back of the Madras High Court staying the release of the film following the Tamil Nadu government’s challenge against an earlier verdict that had deemed the movie fit to be released.
In the meanwhile, the actor held a meeting with Muslim leaders to arrive at a consensus. He has agreed to edit objectionable content from the film. But, the film couldn’t get a green signal from the High Court.
Earlier in the day Kamal Haasan, during a press conference, said that he would leave the country if he fails to get justice over his controversial film ‘Vishwaroopam’.
Speaking to the press here, the actor apologized for causing inconvenience and wondered why at all there is a controversy regarding the film.
The Censor Board had cleared the film for its release but the Tamil Nadu government had imposed a ban on the same following protests by certain sections of the society, who alleged that the film showed Muslims in bad light. However, the Madras High Court had stayed the ban on the film Tuesday.
Addressing the media, Haasan said, “Wonder how one movie could rock a nation’s unity. I shall wait for the judgment but after this I will have to seek a secular state for a house.
I have pledged all what I have and if the film doesn’t release, I will end up suffering a huge loss. Even if I become shelter less, I know there are people who will help me.
From Kashmir to Kerala, I have a number of homes to call my own. But despite all that, if I am left with no place to stay, then I will have no choice but to leave the country. But nothing can ever change the fact that I am an Indian.”
“My father believed in humanity above all faith and had taught me not to hurt anyone’s sentiments. I don’t follow any religion, for I too believe in humanity. But I will certainly not let anyone take me for granted,” added the veteran.
