On a day that Vishwaroopam released to packed houses in theatres across the city, actor and film-maker Kamal Haasan clarified that the version of the film that released in Tamil Nadu suffered only aural cuts.<\/p>\n
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In a statement, he said: \u201cI write this to inform my admirers who think a large portion is lost in this battle for freedom of speech. Nothing is lost except the sounds of Koran recital and a few dialogues by Omar Qureshi in the film. So finally what Vishwaroopam lost was just some sound clips. No visuals were touched. The visual part of Vishwaroopam is intact.\u201d<\/p>\n
A section of fans, who watched the shows on the first day here, after having watched it last week in other States \u2014 including theatres in Bangalore and in some parts of Kerala \u2014 said the version that hit the screens here did not vary much from the other versions of the movie. Some of them recalled that an introductory credit card was missing here and there was a partial blackout of a banner in a particular scene.<\/p>\n
Most city theatres that regularly screen Kamal Haasan movies \u2014 of the likes of Devi and Woodlands \u2014 had massive banners and decorative cut-outs of the actor put up by fans\u2019 associations. <\/p>\n
Overcoming a fortnight-long suspense and drama, Kamal Haasan\u2019s Vishwaroopam finally hit the screens across Tamil Nadu to packed houses, amid celebrations by delirious fans.<\/p>\n
It was a jamboree of sorts as elated fans danced to drum beat and burst crackers as they thronged cinema houses since early morning, some pouring milk over the cut outs of the 58-year-old actor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very happy with the response and shows have been booked till Monday. Kamal has done a brilliant job,\u201d a theatre owner said.<\/p>\n
Haasan\u2019s fans said the technically advanced film could match up to any Hollywood production.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is like a Hollywood movie,\u201d said a fan outside a theatre. \u201cHats off to Kamal. He has taken Indian cinema to a new height,\u201d said another.<\/p>\n
The film, originally scheduled for January 25 release, started screening in some theatres as early as 6 a.m.<\/p>\n
Its release was delayed in the wake of protests by some Muslim outfits, prompting the Tamil Nadu government to ban it for two weeks.<\/p>\n
The movie was cleared for release after the makers agreed to make changes to seven scenes following a State government-brokered meeting between Haasan and the outfits.<\/p>\n
The State ban on the spy-thriller triggered a nationwide condemnation and support for Haasan, who had threatened to go on a self-imposed exile following the politics over his film. <\/p>\n
Prior to the protests by Muslim outfits, the film had faced problems with the actor insisting on release on the DTH platform before showing it in theatres. The theatre owners\u2019 opposition had forced him to delay the release. COURTESY:THE HINDU<\/em><\/p>\n