Kamal Hassan's emotional statement on Vishwaroopam ban

Upset over the hurdles caused by the ban on the release of mega budget Vishwaroopam, an emotional Kamal Hassan today said Tamil Nadu does not want him to stay in the State and he might seek a "secular" place in the country or overseas.

"When MF Hussain can do it, Kamal Haasan will do it...I am fed up. I am an artiste. After that, I will have to seek a secular State for my stay... Secular State from Kashmir to Kerala, excluding Tamil Nadu... Tamil Nadu wants me out," he said in a choked voice as the fate of the movie is still to be decided in the court.

The actor said that he had pledged all his property to make the trilingual movie, estimated to have cost around Rs 100 crore. He said he might lose his house because of the losses incurred by the delay in the release of the movie.

Hassan said he was yet to get interim relief as the film shows were "started and stopped" by police today, who sought a physical copy of the single judge's order passed last night, giving clearance for the film.

"...But I believe that along with my Muslim friends, I have been an instrument in a political game. I don't know who is playing and not even hazarding the guess. The fact remains that my history has proven that I have been neither leaning to the left or right but trying to maintain my position," Hassan added.

He said that he would wait for the judgement of the Madras High Court where the Tamil Nadu Government today moved swiftly to file an appeal against the interim relief given by the single judge.

"Now I shall wait for the afternoon judgement but after this... I think I will have to see a secular State for me to stay in. I have nothing to lose. I might as well choose a place which would house an artiste like me."

"I will learn in another couple of days whether I will be able to find a secular State in India or not. I will find, hopefully, another country which is secular that might take me in," Hassan claimed.

PTI