‘Vishwaroopam’ release in Karnataka deferred to Jan 27

Bangalore: The release of actor-director Kamal Haasan`s controversial movie ‘Vishwaroopam’, facing a two week-ban in Tamil Nadu due to its alleged anti-Muslim content, has been deferred to January 27 in Karnataka.

The sole distributor of the film in Karnataka, Gangaraju, claimed that the postponement is in pursuance to the request of state police not to release the film today and tomorrow in view of ‘Milad-un-Nabi’ and Republic Day as "it could disrupt communal harmony and lead to a law and order problem". "However, the film will be released in 25 theatres across the state including 15 in Bangalore city on January 27," he told reporters. Gangaraju said money had been refunded to those who had booked tickets for the film in advance for today and tomorrow in five theatres in Bangalore. Meanwhile, disappointed with the non-release of the film, some fans of the veteran actor carried banners and shouted slogans in two theatres in the city. The protest was peaceful, police said. PTI