Siri Media who distributed Vishwaroopam in Telugu has organized a press meet today at Taj Banjara. It was attended by Kamal Hassan, Dasari, D Rama Naidu, K Raghavendra Rao, K Vishwanath, Nagarjuna, Prabhas, Trivikram and SS Rajamouli attended it.
Vishwaroopam is better than a Hollywood film - Nagarjuna
Nagarjuna said, “I heard that Tamil version of Vishwaroopam which was released in Tamil Nadu yesterday has got great openings and reviews. But, the damage has already happened. The government shouldn’t interfere once censoring is done. I appreciate Kamal Hassan’s guts and conviction. This movie is making a mark in the history of Indian cinema. I feel that Vishwaroopam is better than any Hollywood film.”
Kamal Hassan has to unlearn – K Viswanadh
K Viswanadh said, “Kamal Hassan has a few defects. He is too knowledgeable. You have to unlearn in order to survive in film industry. I am an actor because of Kamal. He insisted that I should act. Acting has become like a paid holiday to me.”
Too small to talk about Kamal Hassan - Prabhas
Prabhas said, “Sitting in the same dais of Kamal Hassan is a great honor to me. I am too small to talk about Kamal Hassan and I grew up watching his films. I think Kamal Hassan will inspire the next 10 generations.”
Kamal Hassan is like Himalayas - Trivikram
Trivikram said, “Talking about Kamal Hassan is like asking the meaning of dictionary. I saw Kamal Hassan in a vulnerable position when he spoke to media a few days back. He gave me so many memories with his movies. We can’t move Himalayas out of our sight just because we are feeling cold. If we have pneumonia, we can’t expect Himalayas to be shifted; we have to shift to other places. Kamal Hassan is like Himalayas and Himalayas should and will stay in India. I have been rigorously following the trade aspects of Vishwaroopam and I am very thrilled to know that it’s doing extremely well in Tamil.”
Censor board is filled by politically unemployed people - Dasari
Dasari said, “Nobody can stop a film once it passes censor board. If there is a law and order problem, then it’s the responsibility of Government to maintain it. If government is incapable of maintaining law and order, then they are not fit to be in that place. Most of the members of censor board are politically unemployed people. Nobody stops the release if somebody makes a scathing film on USA president. How do we have so many problems in a democracy like India? I gave a commitment to Kamal that I would release it on 25 Jan and did it. Thanks to the Government of AP. Kamal would have been the richest man in Chennai if he had thought like a businessman. But he is an artist to the core. In Telugu, Vishwaroopam is going housefuls in 3rd week. I am eagerly waiting for the release of Vishwaroopam part 2.”
SS Rajamouli said, “I have seen the video of Kamal Hassan and felt really bad. He had tears in eyes not because he might lose his house, but he might be staying away from the mother land of Tamilnadu. The people from all over India came forward and supported Kamal Hassan.”
I am an actor and director, but not a rioter – Kamal Hassan
Kamal Hassan said, “I started my career as a dance assistant 35 years back in Saradhi studios, Hyderabad for Srimanthudu film. My first remuneration was Rs 250/-. I thought that I would be doing great if I had five such assignments a week . Then I was offered a small role in Bala Chandar’s Inti Dongalu and my remuneration was Rs 500/-. Latest I was paid Rs 2500/- for the Tamil original of Anthuleni Katha. I was paid 40,000 for Maro Charitra. I gave that 40,000 as an advance for camera as I wanted to become a technician. I thought that acting was not my cup of tea. But things were not the same after the release of Maro Charitra. After Maro Charitra release, everybody thought that my birth place was Vizag. Gowtami too asked me if I were from Vizag. LV Prasad gave me 2 lacs for Ek Duje Keliye. I have had tough times financially from early days. I had a debt of 12 lacs during Amavasya Chandrudu. Due to Ek Duje Keliye success, I could able to pay off debts by taking advances. Industry has kept me financially alive throughout my career. I don’t have any anger for what had happened for vishwaroopam, but I am deeply saddened by it. Artist should not be insulted. I am an actor and director, but not a rioter. I still feel like an assistant director. I am willing to learn from all directors including Rajamouli. Media gave immense strength during Vishwaroopam release. Subhas Chandrabose fought for India by staying away from India. I might have to do it if such things happen again.”
