Kamal Haasan's Act-2 set to take off, party launch today

CHENNAI: In the hope of heralding a new chapter in Tamil Nadu politics hegemonised by the DMK and AIADMK for half-a-century, film icon Kamal Haasan will set in motion his political innings on Wednesday from the historic temple town of Madurai by announcing the name of his political party and hoist its flag.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, the RTI activist who captured the imagination of the nation during the Anna Hazare movement, will be on Kamal’s side at the public meeting in Othakadai in the heart of Madurai to “wish him luck” on his political journey, while his “intellectual friend” and Kerala CM Pinnarayi Vijayan will join the launch through video conferencing. The 63-year-old actor, who captivated millions for five decades through his brilliant and versatile acting skills, will have a long Wednesday — beginning his journey from the residence of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram and addressing public meetings at Ramanath-apuram, Paramakudi, his birthplace, and Manamad-urai before reaching Madurai for the “mega launch”. “Our long journey will begin tomorrow. I will hoist the flag of our new political party at 6 pm at Madurai Othakadai at the venue of the mega rally. I will also announce the name of the political party and explain its ideology. Come, let’s script a new chapter,” Kamal wrote Twitter before he flew to Madurai.

Kamal’s political journey is being keenly watc-hed across India as many see his “timing” as perf-ect launch pad for a career in politics given the “political void” in Tamil Nadu due to indisposition of DMK chief M. Karunanidhi and death of former CM Jayalalithaa. The outspoken actor, who loves to call spade a spade and does not mince words, calls himself “polity culturist” who wants to redeem Tamil Nadu’s image

What started as criticism in 140 characters — that was the limit first allowed on Twitter — in late July last year against the “corrupt” AIADMK government may culminate in a full-blown attack against those who have ruled Tamil Nadu for five decades since 1967 on Wednesday.

The outspoken actor, who loves to call spade a spade and does not mince words, calls himself “polity culturist” who wants to redeem Tamil Nadu’s image that had been sullied in the past. Though there is no clarity on what his policies and programmes would be, Kamal has clarified that his colour would certainly not be “saffron”.

A proponent of Dravidianism, which he says will exist as long as National Anthem of India existed, Kamal has given all indications that Tamil, Tamil Nadu and Dravidian culture will be the “core ideology” of his political journey.