Kamal Haasan's controversial film Vishwaroopam has been removed from local cinemas in Malaysia a day after its release following a directive from the Home Ministry, much to the disappointment ethnic Indians here.

Film distribution company Lotus Fivestar AV's director R Ramalingam said the ministry told him to stop screening the movie yesterday.

The film, which opened in Malaysia on Thursday, had played to full cinemas before being removed from the theatres.

Vishwaroopam has been banned Tamil Nadu for two weeks amid allegations by the Muslim community that they have been depicted negatively in the movie.

Haasan has taken the matter to the Madras High Court and a decision is pending.

Sri Lanka too has ordered a delay in the release in favour of a review by censors.

Muslim majority multi ethnic Malaysia has a eight per cent ethnic Indian population who are mostly Tamils. Tamil movies are extremely popular in this country and popular stars from Kollywood have a wide following here.

Mega Tamil films are mostly released in the same day as in India. Among Hindi films, movies starring Shah Rukh Khan are very popular among the Malays.