They’ve always been the best of friends and the best of rivals. The two icons of Tamil cinema - Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth - have always stood by each other. It, therefore, comes as no surprise to know that the latter would be watching the former's controversial "Vishwaroopam" Wednesday. Said Kamal: "I'm expressing my gratitude to all my colleagues in the Tamil film industry for standing by me. I've a screening at the 6 Degrees theatre in the Auro 3D format for all my friends this evening."

The screening of "Vishwaroopam", directed and produced by Kamal, was banned in Tamil Nadu after a group of Muslim Organizations protested against the film saying it will hurt the sentiments of the Muslims. But later, after several round of talks, the actor-filmmaker got permission to release the film after editing objectionable scenes. Now the espionage thriller is releasing in the state Thursday. Before that there is the special screening and Rajinikanth, who stood by him during tough times, is among the special invitees.

Said a source close to Kamal: “Yes, Rajini sir is indeed watching 'Vishwaroopam' on Kamal sir’s request. Rajini Sir was one of the first actors in Tamil Nadu who spoke up in favour of Kamal sir’s film when all the protests broke out. He even offered to do a film free of cost to compensate for the losses suffered by Kamal sir because of the protests. Kamal sir has arranged a screening of 'Vishwaroopam' in the special Auro 3D for Rajni sir.” A special screening of the film for the Bollywood fraternity is also being planned in Mumbai. It is expected to be attended by the Bachchans, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, the Roshans and Shatrughan Sinha’s family, among many others. On Feb 9, Kamal leaves for Paris for the special French premiere on Feb 10 of "Vishwaroopam", which stars Kamal along with Pooja Kumar, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shekhar Kapur and Rahul Bose.