Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Minister’s men, Jakim reps watch Vishwaroopam


The decision on the screening of the Kamal Haasan movie is expected to be announced later today.
PETALING JAYA: Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s officers along with officials from the Islamic Development (Jakim) viewed the controversial Tamil movie, Vishwaroopam yesterday.
“More than 10 people viewed the movie yesterday. They include the home minister’s political secretary Markiman Kobiran, Hishammuddin’s special aides and about three to four Jakim officers,” said Film Censorship Board’s (LPF) enforcement and control division secretary Razak Derahman.
A meeting was scheduled to be held today to decide the fate of the movie in Malaysia.
Markiman, when contacted, declined to comment.
The screening of Vishwaroopam was suspended last Friday due to a memorandum handed over by Malaysian Indian Muslim Youth Movement. This happened after cinemas began screening the movie.
The group sent the memorandum on Wednesday, claiming that the movie hurt the religious sensitivities of Muslims. Several days ago Penang Muslim League also protested against the movie.
Four LPF officers had initially given the green light for the movie be screened.
Vishwaroopam is a spy thriller directed, co-produced and starring South Indian film star Kamal Haasan.
The movie revolves around international terrorism and Kamal Haasan dons three roles – an Indian classical dancer, Indian anti-terrorism agent and an agent who infiltrates a terrorist group.
The movie also faced similar problems in Tamil Nadu, India.
Yesterday MIC strategy director S Vell Paari said that the hurdle to screen the movie in India was due to a television network’s failure in buying the television rights from Kamal Hassan.
The hurdle came in the form of a case filed by Tamil Muslims linked to the All India Anna Dravida Munetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party. The television network is linked to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, an AIADMK leader.
The ban on the movie in India had been lifted after the central government intervened today. However the Tamil Nadu state government has said that it would be appealing against the decision.

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