Madras High Court removed the ban on "Vishwaroopam" in Tamil Nadu

The Madras High Court Tuesday night ruled in favor of Kamal Haasan's controversial film "Vishwaroopam" and lifted the ban by the state government.

After a day-long hearing, Justice K Venkataraman passed the orders, amid indications that the state government may prefer an appeal.

"The film can be released in theatres tomorrow and the Section 144 order issued by the district collector will be kept in abeyance," said Justice K. Venkatraman in an interim order. The film will be released without any cuts or edits.

"I have watched the film and it has no scenes that hurt the sentiments of Muslim community," Justice Venkataraman had said earlier in the day.

The Rs.95 crore espionage thriller was originally scheduled to release in Tamil and Telugu Jan 25.

However, a day before the screenings, the Tamil Nadu government imposed a two-week ban on the film after some Muslim groups complained that some scenes in it portrayed the community in bad light.

Haasan, 58, described the ban as "cultural terrorism" and added: "Any neutral and patriotic Muslim will surely feel pride on seen the film

However the ban on "Vishwaroopam" in Sri Lanka and Malaysia continues

- Asian Tribune -