The magnificent incarnation) is a 2013 Indian action spy film co-written, directed and produced by Kamal Haasan, who also enacts the lead role.

The film also stars Rahul Bose, Shekhar Kapur, Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah, Nassar and Jaideep Ahlawat in supporting roles.

Development of the project began after the release of Haasan's Manmadan Ambu (2010) when several of the crew were brought in from the United States to lend their technical expertise.

The ban resulted in similar decisions in major overseas markets like Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore while release was delayed in the south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka.

Heeding the requests of Muslim civic organisations, controversial scenes were muted or morphed, allowing the film to be released on 7 February 2013 in Tamil Nadu.

Eventually, it is revealed that there are sleeper agents scraping caesium-137 from oncological equipment to build and trigger a dirty bomb in New York City.

Nirupama is stunned to discover the true identity of Viz, along his uncle Colonel Jagannathan, his British friend Dr. Dawkins, and the young dancer Ashmita.

After finishing his Manmadan Ambu (2010), Kamal Haasan stated in November 2010 that he was working on the scriptment of his "pet project" titled Thalaivan Irukkiran, a film about an international community.

Termed as a big budget multi-starrer film, it was expected to commence by March 2011, with a Hollywood studio reportedly coming forward to produce it.

[8] However, in early 2011, sources claimed that Kamal shelved that project and agreed to star in a Selvaraghavan directorial, being impressed by the one-line story narrated to him.

[23] In early November 2011, New York based model-actress Pooja Kumar was signed in for a role after she had been recommended to Kamal Haasan by his partner, Gautami.

[citation needed] Telugu actress Lakshmi Manchu was offered a role in the film, but declined it due to date issues.

Shriya Saran was reported to play the second female lead in the film,[25] with the actress dismissing the news several days later, citing that she had not even heard the script,[26] following which Priya Anand was claimed to have secured that role.

[36] In January 2012, Chitrangada Singh was offered a "very special role", which the actress had to decline, since her dates clashed with Sudhir Mishra's film.

Sets resembling Afghanistan were created in Chennai, with many foreigners from Russia, Iran and Africa playing American soldiers, while Haasan wore an Afghan look.

[45][46] The climax scenes featuring an aerial fight choreographed by Hollywood stuntman Lee Whittaker was filmed at Chandivali Studio in Andheri, Mumbai in early March 2012 with Haasan and Rahul Bose.

[55] Lyricist Vairamuthu took charge of the lyrics of the songs in the film,[56] after Kamal Haasan had approached him and narrated the entire plot, to which he immediately agreed to work upon.

[70][71] A special screening of Vishwaroopam was held at Tamil Nadu superstar Rajinikanth's house on 6 February 2013 at the 6 Degrees theatre in the Auro 3D format for his friends.

[79] The prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 of Criminal Penal Code to ban the film in Tamil Nadu were lifted on 3 February 2013.

[84] In Malaysia, the National Censorship Board and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department reviewed the film and the Home ministry lifted the ban on 19 February 2013.

[94] Anuja Jaiman of Reuters said, "Vishwaroopam is a work of art that surpasses Bollywood potboilers and tries to initiate a conversation about a not-so-perfect world and its great religious divide.

"[101] The Deccan Herald gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, saying "Vishwaroop is a helluva entertainer" and pointed out "The action sequences are, at last, on a par with Hollywood.

"[102] LiveMint reviewed the Hindi version Vishwaroop and stated that the film is a showcase for Haasan's wide-ranging skills with both microwaves and machine guns.

[107] Mid-Day gave 3 out of 5 to Vishwaroop and stated that Kamal Haasan's film is sensitive and mature but the basic problem is the inconsistent pace.

[108] Prasanna D Zore of Rediff gave the movie 2/5 stars and wrote "Vishwaroop is flawed and a big disappointment from Kamal Haasan" "At times, the film tries to preach what is just and what is unjust but fails miserably.

[111] Vinayak Chakravorty of India Today gave the movie 2.5/5 stars and reviewed, "As the sleek shots pile up, you realise what they are desperately trying to hide: Vishwaroop lacks the energy and imagination that one looks for in a good action flick.

[113] When Kamal Haasan announced a Direct-To-Home premiere of the film, theatre owners demanded a rollback of this plan, as they feared major revenue losses to DTH service providers.

[117] Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt condemned the actions instructed by Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalitha as a critical attack on freedom of speech in India,[118] of which she denied all allegations against her regarding political and business interests.

[119] After persistent pressure to cut objectionable scenes, Kamal Haasan said that he could be forced to leave the state of Tamil Nadu and India, because he was "fed up at being played around in a dirty political game".

[132] Kamal Haasan, Chakri Toleti and Atul Tiwari mentioned that the sequel Vishwaroopam II was already planned and more sequences had already been shot featuring Andrea Jeremiah in a more prominent role.