A day after Kamal Haasan gave a sentimental speech that his home and savings are at stake, since his movie 'Vishwaroopam' is not getting released, the actor's fans have started sending demand draft/cheques to his house. Some of the fans have started coming to the actor's house since Wednesday evening to give money and show their solidarity.
It may be noted, on Wednesday Kamal, who returned from US early this week, appeared in television yesterday and gave an emotional speech in which he said he had pledged all his assets for the movie, which he produced with a budget of Rs 95 crore along with other expenses. The movie was largely financed.
"As the release is getting delayed, I am facing huge loss and my house and all my earnings will go from my hands. I have pledged my assets," said Haasan.
The actor also felt Tamil Nadu wants him out from the State, though he wanted to remain to be a Tamilian and Indian. "I am fed up, I am an artiste. I will have to seek a secular state to live in, if Tamil Nadu wants me out".
Besides, supports from his fans and friends from the cinema industry, Kamal also got support of Centre. "We are a free society. There is freedom of expression. There is liberty for artists. We have a Constitution," said Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. He told reporters, "We will see, we will enquire into what has happened." One of the Congress MLAs came to Kamal's house yesterday and some of the Muslim Leaders also visited Kamal's house to show their solidarity.
Similarly BJP Leader Rajnath Singh also supported Kamal and said he should not leave the country.
It may be noted that States like Kerala are showing the movie from January 25, as per the release date announced by the production house. On Wednesday Puducherry and Karaikal also allowed the movie to be released. Both the states are ruled by Congress party.
The DMK President M Karunanidhi, in his statement said that the ban is due to Politics. "I know Kamal and Rajnikanth won't hurt the feelings of any religion. Even I don't tolerate anything that is against Muslims. I urge them to hold talks with Kamal Haasan. Also state government should cooperate in maintaining law and order."
In few places like Madurai and Salem, Kamal's fans clashed with Muslim party workers, who were trying to block theatres which were ready to show the movie.
All these developments comes after some Muslim organisations started protest against the release of the movie, alleging the way their community is depicted in the movie. In response to the few organisations protest, the State Government has banned the movie, against which Rajkamal the producing arm of Kamal filed a petition at the Madras High Court.
After hearing the Petition, Justice K Venkataraman gave an interim stay on Tamil Nadu Government's Order on Tuesday midnight. But, again on Wednesday Morning, the Division Bench of the Madras High Court stayed the single bench order and stayed the release of the film till February 6. The Wednesday order was in response to a petition filed by State Government and Muslim organisation, against Tuesday night order.
In an interview to a TV channel from the US the actor-turned producer of the movie Haasan today said few Muslims cannot decide onbehalf of entire Muslim population, besides many Muslims are in the sensor board and they have cleared the movie. Commenting about few disturbance in theatres, which were trying to releasing the movie in Andhra Pradesh, Haasan said “highest form of criticism is violence, when they don’t have words they get into violence”.