Will see Kamal Haasan versus Rajinikanth in Tamil Nadu political theatre?
“Let’s proclaim aloud none is a king anymore, let’s rise at heart that we are no king like you, one who dies defeated is a militant, one taking decision a chief minister, those who fall in line slaves? No path is visible unless searched,” this cryptic line tweeted by actor Kamal Haasan had poked the curiosity of many on Twitter and the night saw curious people predicting the political entry of the actor.
In the last seven months, since the demise of former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa, it was seen how the actor had taken every possible opportunity to put across his stand and also to criticise the present government.
The actor’s impeccable Tamil, which needs an expert translator to decipher, has never gone down well with the politicians in the state. Unlike the open endorsement and eagerness that is shown in the suggested political debut of superstar Rajinikanth, this time around a hint by Kamal on his political entry has called in for strong lashing out by many politicians.
Finance and fisheries minister Jayakumar had demanded evidence for accusations of corruption, and challenged Kamal to enter politics, BJP leader H Raja, who was in Salem, called Kamal spineless, a man who wanted to run away, when his film Vishwaroopam faced difficulties.
The BJP’s Tamilisai Soundarajan was quick in commenting and warned the actor that the job of a politician and social service has been carried out well, and she said, “Without doing any service to people and society, why this sudden awakening for Kamal Haasan? Politics is not cinema, where one can become CM in a day.”
In the last few days, the National Award winning actor has been facing the heat from political parties. It all started off with the Hindu Makkal Katchi announcing a protest against the actor and the Big Boss show, which is being aired on Tamil entertainment channel Star Vijay. The Hindu fringe group claimed the programme was uncivilised and against Tamil culture.
“Arrest Kamal Haasan and Ban Vijay TV. We will not let these people continue the show. If need be we will go and protest at the shooting location and will attack those who are participating in it, if that is what will make them stop,” said protesters of the Hindu Makkal Katchi.
In spite of the threats and protests, the show is still being aired on the channel, and it is seen that according to recent TRPs the show is doing decently well. As the fringe group complains about the actor’s stand, Kamal seems to have moved away to fight his battle with the politicians in the state.
Mocking those who challenged and questioned his credibility, Kamal in a public statement posted on his Twitter handle said: “All those who are following me and those who are focusing on the welfare of the state please come forward to voice your questions.”
In the detailed statement he went on to say that as responsible citizens it is one’s duty to question the government about corruption and its incapability. “How many can be arrested? One, two, a lakh? Where will they put us all up? Tamil Nadu doesn’t even have a big enough jail to hold that capacity. Every sector will face corruption and in my industry too there is corruption and I will expose it.”
The newly appointed brand ambassador of the Tamil Thalivas in the pro-Kabaddi league added: “Many succumb to the corrupt and pay bribes. If you take the film industry and the corruption that these leaders are involved in, then the complaint box will brim with complaints.”
Taking note of the present situation that the state is in, there is a lot of unrest and outrage. The demise of Jayalalithaa has created a political vacuum and a governance vacuum in the state.
From the active social media responses and mushrooming people’s protests in the state, two facts are evident – one, the people have lost faith in the present government, and two they are open to any new political entrant - be it Kamal or Rajini.
But the big question is, will the uncertainty and ready faith showcased by the people for these actors bring about any change?