Phoenix Kamal Hassan ready to rise from the ashes

Chennai, Feb 5: Kamal Hassan has gone through one of the toughest times in his career with Vishwaroopam getting banned in Tamil Nadu. The Universal Star, who kept himself away from industry and state politics, was victimised by a section of people and that costed him over Rs 30 crore.

The troubles began after Kamal Hassan announced his dream DTH (Direct to Home) plans. The powerful Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners' Association (TNTOA) instantly opposed the idea and warned him of dire consequences if Kamal went ahead with his plans. Meeting after meeting took place without a workable solution.

Kamal Hassan, who was adamant on his stand, sealed deals with DTH operators, only to realise that the TNTOA boycotted the film and no theatres were willing to screen the film except a handful of cinema halls. The film originally was slated for release on January 11 but the last minute call by the TNTOA clipped his wings and he was forced to release it on January 25.

With Kamal Hassan buying peace with the TNTOA and thereby clearing the way for the films' release, a few Muslim groups waged war against him all of a sudden. After watching the film, the outfits called for a ban and the state government, who was mum till the film neared its release, bowed down to the demands of the Muslim groups and banned the film in the state.

This came as a shocker, as the film was banned a day before its release and Kamal Hassan was outside India to promote the film. Following the Tamil Nadu government's decision, neighbouring states (Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka) also banned the film, creating trouble for the film.

However, Kamal Hassan's repeated pleas to Muslim groups went in vain as they toughened the stand with the government standing behind them as hard as a rock. Then, the frustrated actor came before the media and said that his house is at stake and the loss could bring his family to the streets.

Later, Jayalalitha entered the scene and blamed Kamal Hassan for ignoring the issue and approaching court instead of negotiating the issue with Muslim groups. She also said that the government was ready to broker peace between the two parties.

As promised, the government settled the issue with Kamal Hassan agreeing to delete objectionable scenes. The actor also withdrew the petition filed at the Madras High Court and announced that the film would finally release on February 7 in Tamil Nadu.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Kamal Hassan is ready to rock the screens with advance bookings getting massive response in major parts of Tamil Nadu.