The Controversy and Ban of Viswaropam: Understanding the Banned Movie in Tamil Nadu

The 2013 Tamil film Viswaroopam faced significant controversy and was ultimately banned in several regions of India and abroad. The ban in Tamil Nadu, one of the most widely debated instances, has generated much public interest and speculation. However, the actual reasons behind the ban are rooted in the efforts to maintain order and prevent potential unrest at the movie's release.

Reasons Behind the Ban

The most prominent reason for the banning of Viswaroopam in Tamil Nadu was as a measure to uphold law and order, particularly in the wake of anticipated violence and rioting that could have ensued. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, addressing these concerns, specifically cited the possibility of disturbing public peace and the potential for public harm if the film had been screened as originally planned.

Law and Order Preservation: According to the Chief Minister, the Part 144 of the Indian Penal Code was invoked to prevent such an event. By screening the film Kamal Haasan, a well-known Tamil film actor, was expected to have engaged in some sort of conflict with Muslim organizations, which might have resulted in violent protests and riots. The ban would have served to prevent widespread unrest and violence that could have disrupted public life.

Committee Screening and Kamal Haasan’s Actions

Another important factor in the ban was Kamal Haasan’s decision to screen the film to an Islamic committee comprising 24 Muslims before the release. The original plan was to show the film on January 10, 2013, but this was preemptively canceled by Kamal Haasan who postponed the screening to January 25, 2013. By doing so, Kamal Haasan aimed to resolve potential issues raised by the Muslim organizations and achieve a mutually satisfactory agreement.

Committee Screening: Kamal Haasan’s proactive approach in coordinating with a committee of 24 Muslims demonstrated his commitment to resolve potential religious and cultural sensitivities. However, the delay in the release date further highlighted the delicate nature of the situation and the need for extra caution to maintain public tranquility.

Official Statements and Clarifications

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu provided official statements to address the rumors and speculations surrounding the ban. She refuted the claims that the ban was a personal vendetta or that she had attempted to prevent films she deemed inappropriate from being released. The CM emphasized that she was not personally involved in any television channel, such as Jaya TV, which had the rights to the film and was supporting the AIADMK party.

Official Statements: The Chief Minister clarified that she acted in the best interest of the public and that she was committed to maintaining order. She also noted that the power to ban films often lies with the regional governments, thereby causing each region to have different policies. This effectively means that while Tamil Nadu faced specific issues, different political entities in other regions were also concerned about similar threats.

Conclusion and Future Prospects

At present, Kamal Haasan has agreed to discuss the film with the Muslim organizations and remove certain scenes that may have been deemed objectionable. This collaborative approach is a step towards resolving the conflict and paving the way for a possible release. It is worth noting that the scenario in Tamil Nadu is part of a larger regional and national discussion on religious sensitivities and film censorship.

Viswaroopam, despite the controversy, remained one of the most anticipated films in Tamil Nadu and South India. The banning and subsequent changes have made it a topic of discussion and interest, reflecting the complex interplay between film, politics, and social movements in the region.

Keywords:

Viswaroopam

Vishwaroopam, a 2013 Tamil film, became a source of controversy and subsequent ban in Tamil Nadu and other regions.

Tamil Nadu

The ban of Viswaroopam in Tamil Nadu was a significant event, leading to widespread discussions and speculations.

Ban

The ban of the film, though initially controversial, was implemented with the aim of preserving law and order and preventing potential public unrest.