Screening of 'Vishwaroopam' stopped in Hyderabad

State home minister says police commissioners of Hyderabad and Cyberabad approached her to allow them to stop the screening the movie

The Hyderabad police have issued orders to stop the screening of Kalam Haasan starrer 'Vishwaroopam' in the city for a day today.

According to Sabita Indra Reddy, state Home Minister, police commissioners of Hyderabad and Cyberabad approached her to allow them to stop the screening the movie until they are satisfied that the film would not create any disturbances.

"Yesterday some religious leaders approached me to stop the screening the movie expressing apprehensions. There is no ban from government side. City police commissioners have requested me to postpone the movie screening by a day in the city," Reddy told PTI.

Hyderabad city Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma was not available for comment.

However, a police official from Cyberabad said they asked the film exhibitors not to screen the movie today in view of the representations made by some religious groups.

When contacted, a senior official of a multiplex, where 'Vishwaroopam' was scheduled to be screened from today, said the police have asked them to stop the movie until January 29.

"The city police asked us not to screen the movie till January 29. Fans were thoroughly disappointed with the development," the official said, on condition of anonymity.

The Rs 90 crore-film landed in controversies following the actor-producer's decision to screen the movie through DTH platform ahead of the release in theatres.

However, Kamal Haasan later backed out following the pressure from exhibitors.

Yesterday, the Madras High Court declined to stay the two-week ban imposed by the Tamil Nadu state government on the film's screening. The court fixed January 26 for a preview of the controversial movie which has stoked strong protests from Muslim outfits.