After years of seeing him on the screen, I met Kamal Haasan in person for the first time on November 4. The first thing that struck me about him was his erudition, his multiculturalism and his fierce individualism. Taking some tough questions from an astute Chennai audience, he was unfazed.
“A politician is not a shepherd; you are not cattle,” he declared as he officially revealed the much anticipated decision by him to contest elections. Contentiously calling for the dismissal of the present AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu—“Sheer inactivity is reason enough,” he said, when I pushed him to make a legal case—the much admired actor has run into an early controversy with his remarks on Hindu extremism. Sticking to his stand, Kamal Haasan told me some words were lost in translation. “I said extremism, not terrorism. The threat from the Hindu Mahasabha to shoot me only proved my point. Hindus are aping Muslim fundamentalists.” Some say Kamal Haasan may be too much of his own person to make it in the hurly-burly politics. But he is more than ready to take the risk. And his first step will be to communicate directly with the people. His team has created a special app that will enable voters and fans to connect with him directly on problems that they confront; he promises to take them to the concerned authorities and demand accountability. When I asked Kamal Haasan about the other cinematic giant who may well become his political challenger—Rajinikanth—he revealed that Rajini was the first person he confided in about his decision to enter politics. Who has a better chance, I teased. “I have as much of a chance as him,” said Kamal Haasan, confidently, getting ready for his newest avatar after more than 50 years as an actor. Kamal Haasan, who still describes himself as a “reluctant performer” on screen, is the exact opposite as he opens a difficult new innings on his 63rd birthday on November 7.
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Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
âI am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai⊠What do you think? Do you know him?â A friend asked. No, I donât know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime ministerâs desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state