Kamal Haasan declares ‘war’ on politicians

Chennai: Even as his peer Rajinikanth remains locked in his to-be-or-not-to-be dilemma, iconic actor Kamal Haasan on Wednesday insisted he has long been a political animal and declared war with the politicos ruling Tamil Nadu while reiterating his “all-round” corruption charge.

There has not been a stronger and shriller indictment against political corruption from a public personality in recent times as Mr Haasan’s two-page statement in Tamil tearing into the entrails of state administration, which he insisted had been badly sullied. It was obvious that the anguished script was inspired by the skeletons that have been falling off several cupboards over the last few months, as the activist-star took on the politicians who have been angered by his corruption charge and told him to produce proof or shut up.

“The minister wants evidence (of corruption) from me! People are there to remind of the howling cries of corruption even if someone chooses to ignore and forget them. Why should I be the poojari (priest) between them (people and the corrupt politicians)?” Kamal wondered.

The star has now come up with a stout challenge, asking the ‘people’ to send across the ‘evidence’ to the concerned ministers.

“Ensure at any cost your questions are not disrespectful; let the Ministers of this age understand that the common man is more dignified than them”, said Kamal, adding, “There would be at least a few lakh people asking questions. Would you reply to them or would you arrest them all? But then, there aren’t enough number of jails to fill them in entire south India”.

Let the people speak about all the other departments but he would bare the corruption within “my department” (cinema). “Barring a few like me who dared to resist, everyone had to bow to the high corruption in the grant of certificates for tax exemption for movies. This is my voice (evidence)”, said Kamal before coming up with his ‘punch dialogue’—“The cauldron of political corruption will overflow if only all the bold people in the film industry come out openly and speak about it. People are not just herds; so develop the wisdom to listen to them. People’s voice will soon be heard, loud and clear”.

Among the many who attacked him from the political arena, Kamal Haasan in his statement singled out Minister D. Jayakumar and BJP senior H. Raja. The former had slammed him for his corruption charge saying he should enter politics or shut up, while the latter said the actor was a coward sans backbone. Addressing them as ‘younger brothers’, he said they should realise he had entered serious politics even when he opposed Hindi imposition (in the 1960s).