Press Trust of India : Kochi, Mon Dec 24 2012, 07:27 hrs

Renowned actor Kamal Hassan today said he was ashamed of the gang-rape of the 23-year-old girl in Delhi, but was against awarding death penalty to rapists.

“I am against the decision to give them capital punishment because it is not the right way to deal a crime with another crime. Capital punishment itself is a judicially assisted murder,” he told reporters here.

“It is my bus, It is my capital. The girl is my sister and it is my brother who has done it. I am ashamed,” he said.

The rape of the paramedical student on December 16 on a moving bus had evoked anger and nationwide protests for the past few days.

The protests took an ugly turn today in Delhi when hooligans and some political elements hijacked the peaceful protests, resulting in violence and attacks against public property and police which retaliated with teargas and water cannons, leading to injuries to persons on both sides.

Kamal Hassan, who was here for the audio release of his latest flick ‘Viswaroopam‘, to be released on January 11, said he planned a sequel to the movie.

A day before the theatre release, the movie will have a premier show on DTH.

Actress Pooja Kumar, who plays the female lead in the film, was also present.