Vikram’s Kadaram Kondan released on July 19 worldwide but not in Malaysia, the country where it was exclusively shot. Lotus Five Star AV, the film’s distributor in Malaysia, announced that the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia has banned the film from releasing in the country.
Fans who awaited the film’s release in Malaysia expressed their disappointment on Twitter.
To those excited for Kadaram Kondan to release, just be prepared for the worst. The movie might be banned in Malaysia. It’s still a 50-50 situation now
— Raajeevan Sandran (@RaajBaymax) July 18, 2019
Kadaram Kondan will not releasing in Malaysia Tomorrow due to Censorship Issue... As a chiyaan sir fan from Malaysia...This is really heartbreaking news for us...@ikamalhaasan @RKFI @RajeshMSelva @Actor_Vikram @rkfi45
— Marshall Michael Das (@MarshallArsenal) July 18, 2019
Kadaram kondan was shoot in Malaysia, yet banned again
— Jishu Ravichandran (@JishuR) July 19, 2019
Was waiting so eagerly for this movie #KadaramKondan @chiyaanCVF @Actor_Vikram
Vikram's #KadaramKondan banned in Malaysia - Movies News https://t.co/EuxEwfOjRb it's just a movie guys !!! Disappointed @ikamalhaasan @RKFI @aksharahaasan1
— Jaya (@jayadylan) July 21, 2019
The speculation for the reason behind the ban is that the film, directed by Rajesh M Selva, allegedly portrays the Malaysian police force in bad light. In the film, a few members of the Malaysian police force are shown as corrupt and working for criminals.
A remake of the French film Point Blank, Kadaram Kondan had Vikram play KK, a mysterious agent and hitman. The title translates to 'Conqueror of Kadaram' (a Malaysian state which is also called Kedah). The film also stars Lena, Abi Hassan and Akshara Haasan in pivotal roles. The film was dubbed and released in Telugu as Mr KK.
With music by Ghibran, the film’s runtime is 120 minutes. Kadaram Kondan received a lukewarm response from critics but seems to be doing well at the box-office.
Produced by Kamal Haasan’s banner Raaj Kamal Films, Kadaram Kondan is an action entertainer and Vikram’s first release this year. Rajesh’s previous film was Thoongaa Vanam starring Kamal Haasan and Trisha which was a remake of a French film titled Nuit Blanche.
While he awaits the release of his son Dhruv Vikram’s debut film Adithya Varma, Vikram also has the long-pending Dhruva Natchathiram with Gautham Menon coming out soon. Vikram is currently working on the magnum opus Mahavir Karna.
He also has an action-thriller project with Ajay Gnanamuthu, dubbed Chiyaan Vikram 54. To be produced by 7 Screen Studio in association with Viacom 18 Studios, the project will go on the floors from August this year and the makers plan to release it in April 2020.