The Madras high court on Thursday stayed release of Kamal Hasan's movie 'Vishwaroopam' till January 28 (Monday). The judge is likely to preview the movie with both the parties in the case on January 26.
Earlier on the day, actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan moved the high court after the Tamil Nadu government stalled the screening of his fim Vishwaroopam for fifteen days.

The star said that he is "apalled how my film is construed against Muslim brothers".

He said that the circumstances leading to the ban were akin to cultural terrorism and added he was a victim of celebrity bashing.

"I am not only hurt by these accusations of denigrating a community but my sensibilities are truly insulted.

"I have been ruthlessly used as a vehicle by small groups who seek political profile. Icon bashing is a great way to be noticed when you are not one yourself. It is happenning again and again," Kamal Haasan said.

He added that he would "now rely on law and logic to come to our support. This kind of cultural terrorism will have to stop."

Expressing anguish over the developments he said, "I am appalled at how my film is construed to be against my Muslim brothers."

"My statements in favour of that community have marked me as a sympathiser. I have always gone beyond the call of my duty as an actor to voice my opinion in favour of what was humane and civil. I have been part of an organisation called Harmony India which works for Hindu Muslim amity," he said to remind people of his secular credentials.

The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday night banned the screening of Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam following strong protests from various Muslim organisations over alleged depiction of their community in a negative light.