Controversial film: Cinemagoers queuing up for tickets to watch ‘Vishvaroopam’ in Petaling Jaya. Left: A poster promoting the movie.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Muslim League wants the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) to review a newly released Tamil movie titled Vishvaroopam.

Its president Datuk Najmudeen Kadeer said the movie, written, co-produced and directed by renowned Tamil movie personality Kamal Hassan, portrayed Islam in a negative light.

“The movie has been suspended (pending review) in Tamil Nadu and Singapore.

“On behalf of the Muslim League, we are asking Finas to review the film for either censorship or suspension,” he said.

He said that as a multiracial country, Malaysia should not screen movies that portray sensitive issues.

“Some movies tend to show raw or crude emotion. We want to ensure scenes that depict any religion in a bad light are not screened,” he said.

He also called on Finas to have an Indian Muslim representative on its panel.

Meanwhile, the movie's local distributor Lotus Five Star Sdn Bhd said Visvaroopam would be screened in Malaysia as scheduled despite its suspension in Tamil Nadu.

A company spokesman, who declined to be named, said the film had passed the local censorship board's inspection.

Tamil movie fans said they were happy to be able to watch Vishvaroopam in cinemas.

“I thought the long weekend would be a good time to see the show. I've always been a fan of Pooja Kumar,” said student K. Viknes, 22.

According to the Times of India, the Madras High Court had banned the release of the film for two weeks in Tamil Nadu citing “law and order” reasons.

Vishvaroopam, a spy thriller, features Pooja Kumar, Rahul Bose, Andrea Jeremiah, Jaideep Ahlawat and Kamal Hassan.

The film is scheduled for release today.

• Inter-Pacific Research values AirAsia X at RM1.66
• Affin Research maintains "Add" call on Berjaya Sports Toto
• KLCI opens higher, Genting up
• CIMB Research raises Perisai target price to RM2
• Trading ideas: MAHB, MMHE, Berjaya Sports Toto
• Affin Research maintains "Buy" on IJM Land
• Billionaire Icahn seeks US$16bil Dell share buyback
• CIMB Research upgrades Malaysia’s Small Cap sector to Outperform
• Microsoft says it freed millions of computers worldwide from criminal botnet
• Kandinsky work sold for for US$21mil but misses the mark
• Singapore pressures Indonesia to identify firms behind haze
• Malaysia-Kuwait tie-up to boost Islamic finance training
• Fitch Affirms Genting and Genting Singapore at 'A-'/ Stable
• Wall St. extends rise, investors see no change in Fed policy
• Angelina Jolie stunt double sues News Corp over hacking

• West Africa has world's worst piracy rate
• Congolese teacher admits killing elephants for ivory: WWF
• NASA enlists public in hunt for major asteroids

• FedEx eyes record win at Wimbledon
• Brazilian Massa looking ahead to team’s revival
• V Shem-Khim Wah face tough opener in Singapore Open
• Springboks’ De Villiers may miss final
• Results worldwide
• Former world junior champ Zulfadli in main draw
• Star Wallaby winger fit to face Lions
• Hesson laments NZ’s failure to grab chance
• Omega Pharma pin Tour hopes on Mark
• Shahidan needs Cabinet nod to hold posts, says Khairy
• Direct flight now to Naypyitaw for Malaysian SEA Games squad
• Aussie Kulacz hopes to repeat 2009 Selangor Masters triumph
• India’s Anirban relying on short putter for success
• Iain steels himself for a good show at Seri Selangor
• Justin’s win inspires English golfers

• Please wait.

• Boy nabbed for buying air rifles
• Airsoft guns are easily available online
• Many taking precautions against haze
• Malaysia-Kuwait tie-up to boost Islamic finance training
• MAHB sets May 2, 2014 as KLIA2 revised opening date
• Why the suit and tie?
• CIMB Research raises Perisai target price to RM2
• Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering keen on Petronas' Rapid project
• Fitch Affirms Genting and Genting Singapore at 'A-'/ Stable
• Ahmad Zahid: Many foreign workers did not settle their medical fees