By: Faisal Saif

South Indian actor Kamal Haasan has been facing lots of trouble with the release of his latest film Vishwaroop (Vishwaroopam) from having to cancel his DTH premiere to the loss of his film's distributors.

Now he faces a protest of the Tamil Nadu government which has in effect banned the release of the film within the state. This comes post protest by certain Muslim groups stating that the film can and will hurt their religious sentiments and in turn affect communal harmony.

Kamal Hassan in an open letter said that he will take legal recourse against the ban on screening stating that such 'Cultural Terrorism' should stop. The letter from the actor is hereunder:

Dear Friends,

While I am touched by the voices in support for me and my film, I am appalled at how my film is construed to be against my Muslim brothers.

My statements in favor of that community have marked me as a sympathizer. I have always gone beyond the call of my duty as an actor to voice my opinion in favour of what was humane and civil. I have been part of an organization called Harmony India which worked for Hindu Muslim amity.

I am not only hurt by these accusations of denigrating a community but my sensibilities are truly insulted. I have been ruthlessly used as a vehicle by small groups who seek political profile. Icon bashing is a great way to be noticed when you are not one yourself. It is happening again and again.

Any neutral and patriotic Muslim will surely feel pride on seeing my film. It was designed for that purpose. Now I will rely on law and logic to come to our support. This kind of cultural terrorism will have to stop. I thank those who rose to the occasion and to my support on the Internet.

Kamal Haasan