The Asian Age

Kamal blames govt for Vishwaroop­am fiasco

- SUBHASH K. JHA

Kamal Haasan, whose espionage thriller, Vishwaroop­am 2 is being shot currently, says the first part of the movie, which released in 2013, was allegedly ‘almost sabotaged’ by the then Tamil Nadu government.

“I hate to reiterate a known fact,” he says. “My film, Vishwaroop­am, was banned. And when the ban was lifted through legal recourse by us, the then-ruling powers took umbrage. They had it re-banned and later lifted the ban only after a public outcry.”

The ban and re-ban had nearly ruined Kamal financiall­y. “The idea behind the attack was to ruin me completely,” he says. “All my property — everything — was pledged.”

Recalling the harrowing incident, Kamal says, “I try to be known for humility, not for being humiliated. Unfortunat­ely, that is what happened. I was humiliated, almost destroyed.”

Kamal scoffs at those who think that the incident never happened. “Amnesia seems to be a national disease,” he says. “I presume in a country drowning in corruption, such incidents are very minor, and easily forgettabl­e. But I haven’t forgotten. I lost `60 crore. For someone who pays his tax regularly, that is a crippling loss. Thanks to people, I’m still walking.”

The actor hopes that the second instalment of the Vishwaroop­am saga will be smooth sailing. “I don’t see anyone having any problem with the sequel. But then, you never know,” he shrugs.

 ??  ?? Kamal Haasan promoting Vishwaroop­am in a file photo
Kamal Haasan promoting Vishwaroop­am in a file photo

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