KAMAL HAASAN IS KNOWN for speaking his mind, be it on films or politics. And it was no different at Manorama Hortus, the art and literature festival held in Kochi from November 27-30, where the 71-year-old shared the stage with actor Manju Warrier. Clad in a white suit, the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president talked to the cheering crowd about his ideology, cinema and his greatest political adversary—casteism.
Haasan might not be a primary player in Tamil Nadu’s changing political landscape, but his sharp voice carries weight and could influence a section of voters, especially the urban elite. And unlike fellow actor Vijay, who is trying to step away from cinema to pursue politics with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Haasan has refused to give up movies. In fact, this June saw him not only being nominated to the Rajya Sabha with the DMK’s backing, but also the release of his latest movie, Thug Life.
Interestingly, the MNM, launched in 2018, had opposed the DMK in its first two elections, calling it a corrupt party of dynasts. In the 2021 assembly elections, his party even spoiled the DMK-led alliance’s chances in some crucial constituencies such as Coimbatore South. Three years later, Haasan joined hands with the DMK, becoming a star campaigner for the alliance across the state. He is expected to do so again in the assembly elections next year.
In a 2018 video, Haasan was seen throwing a remote at a television to signal rejection of traditional political parties. Soon after he joined the DMK alliance, the visual resurfaced on social media, with many questioning his change of heart. At a recent event in Chennai, Haasan addressed the criticism, clarifying that the alliance was to safeguard the state’s rights and to prevent the rise of “fascism”.
“Any constraint or situation did not make us join the DMK alliance. We joined them because our ideologies are similar. The DMK executed the ideas proposed by us in the 2021 election. Should we join hands with them or with someone who does not even recognise us?” he asked the audience. “Don’t fear the dark. I am not afraid of the dark. There will be dawn tomorrow. There will be udhayam (sunrise). Udhayanidhi also will come. He will probably become the chief minister.”
Though the DMK-led alliance has several parties, including the Congress, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and left parties, the DMK is likely to give the MNM at least two seats to contest. “It might even be on the DMK’s rising sun symbol,” said a DMK MP.
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We want centrism to go to the people
By Lakshmi Subramanian
Interview/ Kamal Haasan, actor and politician
Q/ What is the difference between you and other actors who have entered politics?
I think a personality explanation is needed before I go into bombastic claims. Even when I went into cinema, there were thousands of people more talented than me. I came in, not with great training, but definitely with more training than most people. And I came into a field like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where there was no dearth of actors. But I managed. Likewise, here, too, Kamal Haasan will manage.
Q/ Do you always stand on ideology?
Yes. Even in my films I had ideology. At least in Raaj Kamal Films (his production house), because I work with other people [on other projects] and I cannot compel them by saying, ‘This is what I want’. But when Raaj Kamal produces a film, it has an ideology. It only makes that kind of cinema.
Likewise, as a politician, I have an ideology. I am a centrist, and we are the only centrist party in Asia. Centrism is international, but we are the only ones in Asia. That is the reason we think we can make a difference. We wilfully came into politics; we were not threatened into joining it. We want centrism to go to the people. I believe centrism will be the central pivot and grounding point for democracy to survive.
Q/ How do you want the Gen Z to know you? Do you want the Vikram (2022) image of you in their minds or would you insist they watch Guna (1991) and Anbe Sivam (2003), too?
I can want what I want, but they will choose what they want. And I am sure they will make the choice that is suitable for them. By the time they are in their 40s, they will be wise enough to make slight alterations or not make any alterations at all.
Q/ So will you give them more of what they want, especially those in their 20s?
That is what I am trying to do. I hope I succeed. If I do, then my work so far must have been good.
Q/ Is this why you keep learning? Now you have learnt about AI, too.
Yes. I keep learning. In my experience, everyone will have to keep developing their skills. It doesn’t matter if you have already reached a state where you don’t have to [do so]. If you don’t learn, you will be left behind by a world that is rapidly moving forward, technologically. So, my request to people is to please keep improving your skills.