Vishwaroopam ban aimed at maintaining law and order: Jayalalithaa

Chief minister Jayalalithaa justifies ban on Vishwaroopam; cites shortage of police to provide security at theatres. "Had the film maker screened the movie for the Muslim leaders in the beginning itself, all this could have been avoided," said the Tamil Nadu chief minister. Stating that it was a purely law and order problem, Jayalalithaa said, "I do not have the police force to protect the 500-odd theatres in the state." "Haasan called the Muslim leaders for a viewing only after he was set for release. And finally, he did call some Muslim leaders for a screening at his house. But after seeing the film, the Muslim organisations met the chief secretary and announced a series of agitations across the state," she added. "After his return from the US, Haasan sought a meeting with me, but as he had by then already moved the Madras High Court, I could not have interfere in the subjudice case," Jayalalithaa added. "Following Kamal Haasan coming out in favour of editing parts of the movie on Wednesday, I would suggest that if he and the Muslim organisation leaders can sit together and thrash out an amicable agreement, the Tamil Nadu government would do everything possible to take it from there," she added.