The ban on Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam in Tamil Nadu continued after Madras high court deferred its hearing on the actor-filmmaker's petition challenging the state government order to Tuesday, while advising him to try for amicable solution.

Justice K Venkataraman, who saw the film at a special screening on Saturday, advised Haasan on Monday to explore all options to end the impasse through talks with the government and Muslim groups opposing the film.

When the court met to decide on the plea, Haasan's lawyers sought to challenge all the 31 executive orders of district collectors preventing exhibitors from screening the film.

The judge said, "Keep in mind the law and order situation in the country… unity of the nation… because of this there should not be any disharmony among the communities… That is the primary consideration."

On January 24, the court had declined to grant any interim stay on the ban imposed on the movie that has angered Muslim groups, which claim it depicts their community in a negative light. On the court's advice, the actor's counsel PS Raman said, "The court only made an observation… that is not an order."

After the hearing, the actor's brother Chandra Haasan reiterated the film - reportedly made on a R100 crore budget - did not hurt the sentiments of any community.

He said the loss due to the ban during the weekend could be "Rs 30-80 crore". People close to the actor said it was unclear if and when he would meet government officials and protesting groups to end the impasse.