Vishwaroopam: Tripartite talks on to break logjam

CHENNAI: Tripartite talks to break the deadlock over the release of Kamal Haasan's 'Vishwaroopam' began here today following Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's offer to broker peace with the protesting Muslim groups and the actor.

The meeting is being attended by some representatives of the Muslim organisations, Chandra Haasan, brother of Kamal Haasan, and state Home Secretary. The Commissioner of Police, S George, is also attending.

Breaking her silence on the state government's decision to ban the movie, Jayalalithaa yesterday offered to facilitate an amicable settlement if Haasan and Muslim groups agreed to come together.

"If Muslim organisations and Kamal Haasan are ready to sit down and work out an amicable agreement, if he agrees to delete certain portions that are objectionable, then the decks would be cleared for screening of the movie, then Tamil Nadu government will do that to facilitate such an amicable settlement," she had said.

Film personalities have welcomed Jayalalithaa's initiative to facilitate resolution of the crisis arising out of the ban on the movie, made in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi and earlier scheduled for release on January 25.

Haasan has ruled out moving the Supreme Court for now, saying he will wait for the Madras High Court's judgement next week while trying to find a solution through talks.