"Twentyfour Muslim groups had petitioned my government against Viswaroopam," she disclosed, and "we feared violence if the film was released." We acted sensibly by preventing violence before it occurred, she said. elaborate details of the number of the state's police force, its responsibilities, duty hours etc, she sought to convey how thinly the force was already stretched, making it impossible to divert a block of them for providing security for Viswaroopam's release.

"We don't have valuable manpower," she said.

Turning to actor Kamal Haasan's comment about a dhoti-clad prime minister, a comment that many believe earned the Tamil Nadu CM's wrath, Jayalalitha also said the actor does not choose the prime minister. She also clarified that she had no personal or commercial interest in banning Kamal Haasan's film.

"Why should I have any grudge against Mr Kamal Haasan?" she asked. "Nor is he my rival in any way."

Turning to the view that a state government does not have the power to ban a film, Jayalalitha said under Section 7 of the Tamil Nadu Cinamas Regulation Act, the state government was fully empowered to ban a film.

About the actor's statement that he has pledged all his properties to produce the film and a loss would wipe him out, Jayalalitha said he was almost 60 years old, a responsible adult. If he has decided to produce an expensive film, how can the government be held responsible for his actions, she asked.

Striking an amicable note, she also said if Kamal Haasan and Muslim organisations can work out a peaceful arrangement, her government would be happy to facilitate it.