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Tag: Vishwaroopam

  • Ban on Vishwaroopam lifted in Malaysia

    Ban on Vishwaroopam lifted in Malaysia

    MUMBAI: The Malaysian Home Ministry has lifted the ban on Kamal Hassan‘s controversial Tamil film Vishwaroopam.

    The National Censorship Board and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) reportedly studied the film from the religious and security point of view before greenlighting the film‘s release in the country.

    Board chairman Datuk Raja Azahar Raja Abdul Manap said the Department agreed that the movie can now be shown as it was satisfied with the removal of certain scenes considered sensitive after a series of meetings.

    In a statement, Datuk said that the Home Ministry allowed the film to be shown in cinemas nationwide following the setting up of a monitoring panel by the censorship board and Jakim.

    “But the approval was on condition that film distributor Lotus Five Star AV (M) Sdn Bhd abides by the decision taken by the board to remove certain scenes from the film,” Datuk observed.

    The film deals with international terrorism. The film started screening in the country from Tuesday.

  • Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam crosses Rs 1 bn mark

    Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam crosses Rs 1 bn mark

    MUMBAI: Controversies pay in the film world. For Kamal Haasan, it must have been worth swallowing all the problems his movie Vishwaroopam generated over its proposed release on the direct-to-home (DTH) platform ahead of the theatrical debut. Even as Haasan had to concede to the powerful film exhibition community and defer the DTH release, his much talked about magnum opus action thriller has crossed the Rs one billion mark at the box office.

    Actor Rahul Bose tweeted the milestone achievement on the micro blogging website, “Just received figures of the all India box office collections of Vishwaroopam. 120 crores and counting. Superb! Vishwaroopam‘s the first film I‘ve been a part of that‘s made over 100 crores. Congratulations to the team and mr haasan especially!”

    Bose plays the antagonist in the film. Other stars include Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah and Shekhar Kapur.

    The movie has been marred with controversies even before its release. The first tangle it got itself into was when actor-director Hasaan decided to release the movie on DTH platform before its theatrical release. Just when the issue of Vishwaroopam‘s release was resolved, Muslim bodies in Tamil Nadu opposed the movie since it showed the community in bad light which resulted in the movie being banned from release in Tamil Nadu.

    The film released worldwide on 25 January but in Tamil Nadu it hit the theatres as late as 7 February. Despite the delays and controversies, the film seems to have caught the fancy of the audiences.

    The film was also released in Hindi by the name Vishwaroop. This version, though, has failed to attract audiences since it has managed to rake in just Rs 117.5 million in its first week.

  • Viswaroopam cleared for screening by Madras High Court

    Viswaroopam cleared for screening by Madras High Court

    NEW DELHI: Renowned actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan has received a major relief with the Madras High Court lifting the ban on his film ‘Vishwaroopam‘ which had been imposed by the Tamil Nadu government for allegedly anti-Muslim content.

    After a day-long hearing, Justice K Venkataraman passed the orders, paving the way for the screening of the movie reportedly made with a budget of nearly Rs one billion. The judge had personally seen the film on 26 January.

    The court also kept in abeyance prohibitory orders imposed by the District Collectors across the state under section 144 of the CrPC.

    During the hearing, the Tamil Nadu government questioned the ‘UA‘ certificate issued for the film and alleged that the certification of films itself was a “very big scam” and sought a probe into it by a law enforcing agency.

    Advocate General A Navaneethakrishnan said the “UA” certificate to ‘Vishwaroopam‘ was not issued by the Central Board for Film Certification, but only by an Examining Committee not mandated by provisions of the Constitution.

    Rejecting the charge, Additional Solicitor General Wilson said the certification was done by procedure. The application for certification came to the Board on 4 October 2012, the film was viewed on 8 October and a show cause notice to cut certain scenes sent on 10 October, he said.

    The cuts were accepted and removed and the final certification given on 17 October. Scenes to a running time of 1.08 minutes were cut, he said.

    Even at a meeting with the Home Secretary on 23 December last, the Examining Officer said objectionable scenes were deleted from the film, Wilson said.

    Interestingly, the film has been released globally and has also been doing well in Karnataka though it is being screened there under heavy security

  • Race 2 collects Rs 509.8 mn in opening weekend

    Race 2 collects Rs 509.8 mn in opening weekend

    MUMBAI: Race 2 makes the most of its brand equity and an extended weekend of three holidays to take an impressive three-day box office. The mixed appreciation notwithstanding, the film has gone on to collect Rs 509.8 million for its opening weekend.

    The film showed its best performance on Saturday, the 26 January national holiday, with a jump of over 35 per cent over its opening day collections.

    Inkaar, a modern day work place love versus politics drama, fails to make a mark. The film opened with poor collections and failed to earn any footfalls thereafter to end its first week with a figure of Rs 77.5 million.

    Mumbai Mirror collected about Rs 15 million in its first week.

    Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola remained on the lower side even in its second week despite weak oppositions and collected Rs 71.5 million taking its tally to Rs 385 million.

    Table No 21 added Rs 8 million in its third week to take its total to Rs 120.7 million.

    Dabangg2 added Rs 5.5 million in its fifth week, taking its total to Rs 1.45 billion.

    An assorted lot of films is due for release on February 1. These include Mai, David, Listen Amaya, Pyar Ka Jalwa and, probably, Vishwaroopam. The trade, especially the exhibitors, however, are looking forward to 8 February for the release of Special 26 coming from A Wednesday! director Neeraj Pandey and; ABCD- Any Body Can Dance, India‘s first 3-D dance film, directed by choreographer Remo D‘Souza and starring ace dancer Prabhudheva.

  • Vishwaroopam’s DTH premiere on 2 Feb, after theatrical release

    Vishwaroopam’s DTH premiere on 2 Feb, after theatrical release

    MUMBAI: After buckling under pressure from theatre owners, Kamaal Haasan‘s spy thriller Vishwaroopam is all set to premiere on direct-to-home (DTH) platforms on 2 February, almost a week after the theatrical release.

    The Hindi version of Vishwaroopam will be released on 1 February across India. The Tamil and Telugu versions of the film will be released on 25 January as announced by the actor earlier.

    "While the original DTH premiere was on a Thursday (January 10) and hence inconvenient for most, I am now releasing it on a Saturday at the end of the first week of release (January 25) which will be on February 2," Haasan said in a statement.

    The trilingual action film was earlier supposed to premiere on DTH on 10 January a day before the theatrical release on 11 January which met with fierce resistance from a section of theatre owners who saw the move as an attack on their livelihood.

    The protest by cinema owners in Tamil Nadu, who had also urged the Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa to intervene, had Haasan change his mind.

    The actor and film-maker had also moved the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against certain theatre associations for restricting the release of his film.

    However, Haasan did not reveal the name of DTH operators who will telecast the movie. Haasan‘s production had earlier signed a deal with all the six DTH operators to air the film.

    "I will announce the names of my DTH partners who will be involved in this endeavour soon," he said.

  • Matru ki Bjli ka Mandola fails to thunder at the box office

    Matru ki Bjli ka Mandola fails to thunder at the box office

    MUMBAI: Vishal Bharadwaj‘s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola has belied expectations that it would be a blockbuster. The film also could not cash in on its solo release status following the postponement of Kamal Haasan‘s Vishwaroopam, which was slated to release the same day.

    Opening the film for paid previews on 10 January, a day before its exhaustive release went against the film as the bad reports percolated fast leading to a relatively poor opening on Friday. The film could not pick up momentum even on Saturday and Sunday and went on to close its opening weekend with Rs 203 million, way short of being a chartbuster.

    Table No 21 safely saw its way through in the first week and collected Rs 95.2 million, adding another Rs 11 million during the second weekend to take its ten-day total to Rs 106.2 million.

    Dabangg 2 collected Rs 108 million for week three. The film‘s total collection now now stands at Rs 1.42 billion.

    Khiladi 786 has added a symbolic Rs 3.5 million for its fifth week to collect a total of Rs 661.5 million.

  • Haasan approaches CCI in Vishwaroopam release row

    Haasan approaches CCI in Vishwaroopam release row

    MUMBAI: Actor and film maker Kamal Haasan has moved the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against certain theatre associations. Haasan alleged that these bodies restricted the release of his film Vishwaroopam report the Press Trust of India.

    A senior official from CCI told PTI, “”We have received a complaint from Kamal Haasan (related to Vishwaroopam)…We are likely to take a call on the issue next week.” The complaint has been filed by Haasan‘s production house Rajkamal Films International.

    Meanwhile, Haasan has virtually ruled out the premiere of his film Vishwaroopam on the Direct-to-Home (DTH) platform ahead of its release in theatres. He has reportedly admitted a ‘change of mind‘ on proceeding with his controversial decision that had met with stiff resistance from a section of exhibitors.

    “I have changed my mind on having the premiere (on DTH platform ahead of releasing it in theatres). I will discuss (with DTH partners) on how close or far to release date (will be a DTH show),” he said.

    Hassan observed that he had taken into account suggestions from many to consider the ‘good health‘ of Tamil cinema industry before going ahead with his decision.

    “Many had requested me to take into consideration the good health of the industry and proceed with DTH. It is my primary duty to make it happen,” he said after consulting with exhibitors and theatre owners here.

    He also said that talks were on with DTH players on the issue but declined to divulge on the matter. “They have been kind to me. Will say later when the film will come on DTH,” he said.

    Haasan said the film will be released in Tamil and Telugu on 25 January as announced earlier but its Hindi release will be finalized only after further talks with industry associates.

    The tech-savvy actor-filmmaker‘s decision to have a premiere of his much anticipated trilingual action film on DTH caused ripples in the multi-million rupee Tamil cinema industry, with a section of theatre owners deciding to boycott the film.

  • Vishwaroopam’s theatrical release postponed to 25 Jan

    Vishwaroopam’s theatrical release postponed to 25 Jan

    MUMBAI: Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan‘s upcoming film ‘Vishwaroopam‘ will now release on 25 January instead of 11 January, the earlier decided date of release.

     

    The Rajkamal Films International‘s movie that was to release on DTH platforms on 10 January was called off by Haasan after the opposition from the theatre owners as it would have affected their business. It is now uncertain when the movie will air on DTH platforms.

     

    Haasan said in a press statement, “Based on the unstinted support of theatre owners and distributors fraternity, ‘Vishwaroopam‘ will release in over 500 screens across the State of Tamil Nadu. I appreciate the exhibitors and distributors brethren for having understood my vision for creating a new revenue stream for the film producing community through DTH.”

     

    “In line with the postponement of the release date of the movie ‘Vishwaroopam‘ (Tamil and Telugu)/‘Vishwaroop‘ (Hindi)‘ across theatres and on the DTH platform by Rajkamal Films, we have stopped taking bookings for the movie premiere that was scheduled for 10 January at 9.30 p.m. on Airtel DTH,” Bharti Airtel CEO-DTH/Media Shashi Arora said in a statement issued by the company.

     

    Haasan has acted, directed and produced the movie. In a press meet on Wednesday, he said that he is considering releasing the movie simultaneously in both theaters and DTH platforms.

     

    The other DTH operators with which Haasan had tied up for the movie premiere of ‘Vishwaroopam‘ included Tata Sky, Dish TV and Videocon d2h, Sun Direct and Reliance Digital TV.

  • Salman magic works on the box office yet again

    Salman magic works on the box office yet again

    MUMBAI: There were no releases on the last Friday of 2012 leaving the week open for Salman Khan starrer Dabangg2. The film, which was given an exhaustive release with as many as 3,500 screens and multiple shows per day as well as an increase in admission rates, collected Rs 995 million in its first week.

    While the number of screens remained high in the second week, the ticket rates were pared to the normal. The film has collected about Rs 190 million taking its 10-day total to Rs 1.16 billion. The film is the sequel to Dabangg which released in 2011. The second instalment of Chulbul Pandey‘s heroics is also the debut ground for Salman Khan‘s brother Arbaaz Khan. The 2011 film was directed by Abhinav Kashyap.

    Akshay Kumar and Asin starrer Khiladi 786 added Rs 11.5 million to its tally in its third week taking its total to 647.5 million.

    Amir Khan’s suspense thriller Talaash collected Rs 10.5 million in its fourth week taking its total collection to Rs 938.1 million.

    The first Friday of January is as a rule avoided by major filmmakers as the record over the years has been that a film released on the day turns out a flop. However, the first Friday of 2013 has four films lined up for release of which one, Table No 21, holds some interest due to the presence of Paresh Rawal in the cast. The exhibition trade, however, holds more hope from 11 January when Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola is slated for release along with Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam.

  • Videocon d2h to air ‘Vishwaroopam’ on 10 Jan

    Videocon d2h to air ‘Vishwaroopam’ on 10 Jan

    MUMBAI: DTH service provider Videocon d2h is set to telecast the premiere of the movie Vishwaroopam on PPV (Pay per View) mode.

    With this facility, Videocon d2h subscribers will now be able to watch the movie before it releases in the theatres.

    The movie, which will be telecast on 10 January, will be charged at Rs 1000 per view in Tamil language (Channel No. 221) and Rs 500 per view for Telugu (Channel No. 219) and in Hindi (Channel No. 220).

    The movie has been directed by and stars Kamal Hassan; one of the biggest cinema actors in the country.

    Videocon d2h director Saurabh Dhoot said, "We see this as a breakthrough innovation for the DTH platform and this could set a new precedent in the times to come. We are constantly aiming to widen our engagement platform through which we would leverage and connect with our consumers better by bringing newer entertainment modes right into the homes of our consumers."

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera added, "Vishwaroopam is the first Indian movie to be premiered on the DTH platform before its theatrical release worldwide. Tamil and Telugu movies are gaining huge popularity in the country and Videocon d2h is ensuring that it serves exclusive regional language films for the subscribers. Such collaboration with the movies will certainly usher in a new experience for all movie lovers."