TN guv on Vishwaroopam: Avoid filmmaking that hurts public

Amid a raging controversy over Kamal Haasan's ‘Vishwaroopam’, Tamil Nadu governor on Friday said filmmakers should show "due respect" for sensitivities of people while making films like ‘Dam 999’ and warned it will "not spare anybody who tries to whip-up communal passions."

In his address to the Tamil Nadu Assembly in its first session for the year, Governor K Rosaiah said timely interventions by the government to ban release of sensitive films like ‘Dam 999" had avoided law and order problems.

"Timely interventions to ban the release of sensitive films having the potential to disturb peace like ‘Dam 999’ has averted serious law and order problems that could have engulfed the state. I urge the filmmakers to show due respect for the sensitivities of the people while making such films and avoid hurting public sentiments," he said.

The Supreme Court had recently upheld a state government ban against the Sohan Roy-directed movie, banned in the wake of the Mullaperiyar standoff with neighbouring Kerala.

The governor's announcement came a day after Chief Minister Jayalalithaa defended the ban of Haasan's Tamil movie 'Vishwaroopam' which had courted controversy following opposition by Muslim groups, which considered certain scenes offensive to their community.

Breaking her silence, Jayalalithaa had offered to facilitate an amicable settlement if Haasan and Muslim groups come together. The film, made in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, was earlier slated to hit the screens on January 25.

 The governor also said the state government will not spare anybody "who tries to whip up communal passions."

"Land grabbers, anti-social elements and organisations that threaten public order have been severely dealt with," he said.