Vishwaroopam suspended in Malaysia

Tanjung Golden Village and Lotus Five Star Sdn Bhd suspends the screening of Kamal Hassan's movie pending further notice.

PETALING JAYA: South Indian actor Kamal Hassan’s magnum opus, Vishwaroopam has been removed from local cinemas pending further notice.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a staff from Tanjung Golden Village (TGV) cinema confirmed the movie was removed as of noon today.

“Yes, the movie was removed as of noon due to some issues,” said the staff. She claimed oblivious on the reasons behind the suspension.

Yesterday, the Tamil superstar’s mega-budget movie was banned in the state of Tamil Nadu for 15 days, on grounds that the movie offends the sensitivities of Muslims.

However, the movie was screened last night and this morning in Malaysian cinemas before it was taken out.

It was reported Penang Muslims League urged the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) to review the screening of the movie for censorship or suspension due to its content.

Lotus Five Star Sdn Bhd, the local distributor of Vishwaroopam, had also confirmed suspension of the movie at all its cinemas nationwide.

According to Film Censorship Board’s Control and Enforcement Division secretary, Razak Derahman, the film was suspended on the orders of Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

According to the official, the Malaysian Indian Muslim Youth Movement on Wednesday sent a memorandum opposing the screening of the movie.

“The group cited religious sensitivities so the film will be sent back to Film Censorship Board,” he said.

Meanwhile, a FMT check at the Lotus cinema in Petaling Jaya, revealed disappointed and angry movie goers.

Some had come in groups to enjoy the long awaited movie by the famous actor.

“We tried buying tickets…but we couldn’t as the movie was banned and the notice at the counter confirmed our disappointment,” said a movie buff and Kamal Hassan fan who preferred to remain anonymous.

He said the authorities must be consistent in their action as the movie premiere yesterday was allowed.

“One day they allow, then they say it is sensitive. I thought all movies shown in the country goes through the Censorship Board and the Home Ministry. How come this one escaped? Or is it an after thought on the part of the authorities?,” he added.

A poster of the movie at the entrance had a notice which read: “Strictly children under 18 not allowed.”

Another, brief circular at the ticketing counter revealed that the Home Ministry has banned the movie based on complaints by certain quarters that the show’s content was insensitive to Muslims.