Madras HC lifts ban on Vishwaroopam

In a major relief to actor Kamal Haasan, the Madras High Court on Tuesday night lifted the ban imposed on his movie Vishwaroopam by the Tamil Nadu government after it courted controversy over its alleged anti-Muslim content.

After a day-long hearing, Justice K Venkataraman passed the orders, paving the way for the screening of the movie reportedly made with a budget of nearly Rs 100 crore amid indications that the state government may prefer an appeal.

The court also kept in abeyance prohibitory orders imposed by the District Collectors across the state under section 144 of the CrPC. The tech-savvy actor was not available for comment.

During the hearing, Tamil Nadu government questioned the ‘UA’ certificate issued for the film and alleged that the certification of films itself was a ‘very big scam’ and sought a probe into it by a law enforcing agency.

Advocate General A Navaneethakrishnan said the ‘UA’ certificate to Vishwaroopam was not issued by the Censor Board, but only by an Examining Committee not mandated by provisions of the Constitution.

Rejecting the charge, Additional Solicitor General Wilson said the certification was done by procedure.