So Vishwaroopam has been pushed back again, perhaps into momentary silence but far from oblivion. It's all over the news, and everyone's speaking about it on social media. But, we all know that the saga is far from over and we will see more of it from the coming ways. But all the happening have come with more bad news than good, not just for Kamal Haasan but for Kollywood in it's entirety.
Vishwaroopam has already released in south Asia and it has been well received in Malaysia, a Muslim country where the film has been accepted and praised without any questions. Meanwhile, back in Kamal Haasan's home, almost everything is against him as he attempts to make business out of his film. A war continues to wage between the actor and a group of Muslim bodies at the Madras High Court. The first round has already been lost, with Vishwaroopam getting postponed to the 28th of January, coming on Monday, three days after it's original release date.
Despite getting the approval of the censor board, which happened to include someone from the Muslim community, the judge for some reason wanted to see the film himself before letting it hit the screens. He wouldn't spend a couple of hours right away, he wouldn't see it that night, but instead he would take away all of Kamal's opening weekend and permit the release possibly on Monday. While the judge's expertise in cinema is totally absurd, especially how his vote would be better than a dedicated censor board whose job is to do such things. And by making this call, he took away Kamal's opening weekend from all of Tamil Nadu, simply as that.
One can wonder how the release of a film can become a law and order problem for a state. Even bigger is the question which provokes you into thinking what's the root cause for the ban, or the very reason for demanding it. This is not the first time Indian cinema had portrayed a Muslim as a terrorist. We have seen it in the past with Vijaykanth movies and very recently in Vijay's Thuppaki. Any of these films could have seen a similar aversion from the same proprietors, but they did not. None of these films however came close enough to be banned. Where the government or the so-called affected find their justice is nowhere to be seen.
The timing of the issue couldn't have been better for the other parties. With two days left for the release and cinema halls packed and overflowing with advanced bookings, one would have almost thought the right time was here. And just when the actor started promoting his film in the United States, he had a sneaky blow waiting for him at Chennai, the very place where he started his gleaming career of excellence. And the judge's verdict just about took things past the point of no return.
Despite the odds, almost everyone (except the ones that matter of course) seems to know that one film isn't going to change the way people look at terrorists and Muslims. Much rather than getting influenced by the sequences, normal people, who cover most of the population in the world judge people by what the do,
what they have done instead of their religion or creed. Hindu swamijis shows as villains have not stopped people visiting temples and Dan Brown's The Da Vinci code didn't hinder any of the faith people had in Christianity. Considering Vishwaroopam's track record, it's problem with the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association, the DTH release constraints etc., it might perhaps mean a lot more than just a group of people getting angry at a movie. The problem will never see light of course, and by the time we get some idea, Vishwaroopam's purpose and point of business can totally get affected.
In this time of distress for Kamal Haasan, almost everything seems to be against him. The very industry he has been a part of, he has been a pillar in shaping up remains silent and barely stands up to the injustice that seems to be surrounding their most promising star. Apart from a few meaningless tweets and comments, no one seems to care much or do not intend to leave their comfort zone to stand up for Kamal Haasan. The dramatic dialogues and punchlines they utter at press meets praising him lack in foundation. He has no one. Ironically, as the world accepts his filming in different languages entertaining various kinds of audiences, he will be heartbroken to know that his Tamil fans can't witness his work.
The plight of Vishwaroopam and Kamal Hassan is a disgrace to Tamil cinema if not Tamil Nadu in itself. As Kamal continues to stand alone, hopeless against an opposition that's nowhere near fair and are willing him to hit him under the belt, there are a world of people who want to help, but cannot. The ones who could or at least try, are numb and speechless maybe because they don't want to get into the mess. Suddenly, the entire drama has become the showcase of an artist whose efforts are manhandled by the community. His freedom of speech, expression and technical supremacy doesn't seem to matter anymore. For if you need to make a great film in Tamil cinema, you need more than just money or skill or the perseverance.
We, the people would still be here no matter what end this saga turns to. A battered unrelenting Kamal Haasan is what we hope to see despite all odds. He will be remembered as the lone warrior who didn't give up on his principles just to make ends meet, and who was willing enough to take on the world to stand his ground. That's what we want and we can be sure our man will exceed our expectations.
More than anything else, I support you Kamal Haasan. Let the judges be ridiculous and your opposition be hard-bound to make you suffer. I don't care if your film doesn't come out on time, I don't care if someone things you are conveying a different meaning. Your art and efforts are respected and I will be waiting to run to the theatres the moment Vishwaroopam comes out. And I am sure there are several others like me, who care about the things that matter.
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