Despite protests from Muslim outfits, actor-director Kamal Haasan's controversial film Vishwaroopam was screened in Karnataka and was marred by protests in some places, police said. Though the film was scheduled to be released in the state from tomorrow, the screening started from today, police said, adding "adequate protection is being given for screening of the film".

Screening of the film was disrupted in some parts of Mysore, Bangalore and Shimoga districts following protests, police said.

The screening of the film at Balaji Theatre in Mysore was stopped after a protests from some Muslim organisations which vandalised the premises causing damage to it. The protesters also threatened the cine-goers to vacate the premises, police said.

The screening of the film at Urvashi theatre here was stopped by policemen citing that the film is actually scheduled for tomorrow's release.

The screening was also stopped by the exhibitors at Bhadravati in Shimoga distrit after a group of people objected to it. Prohibitory orders were imposed after two groups indulged in heated exchanges, police said.

Murali Vardhana, a cine-goer who watched the film, said "it is unfortunate that in some parts of the state the screening has stopped. The film is clean and does not hurt sentiments of a particular community," he said.

Ravindranath, a businessman, said the protestors should first watch the film and then decide on opposing it. "How could one pass a judgement without watching the film. First watch and then decide on opposing it. I did not find anything Hindu-Muslim split in the film," he said.

Subhas More said "no community has been denigrated in the film."