Actor-politician Kamal Haasan reveals his biggest political enemy at Hortus | Onmanorama News

Legendary filmmaker and actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan made two politically loaded statements at Manorama Hortus on Saturday. One was vague, the other was direct and forceful. One was about where he and his party, MNM, stood politically, and the other was about his party’s biggest enemy.

It is casteism, he said, that his MNM was out to fight. This was a politically bold and explosive statement as casteism is an issue no major political party in Tamil Nadu, neither the DMK or the AIADMK, has attempted to take on directly, fearing non-Dalit backlash. Kamal Haasan, along with Manju Warrier, was in conversation with Manorama News editor Johnny Lukose during the Hortus session titled ‘Sagara Sangamam’.

In fact, the Rajya Sabha MP was challenged to reveal his cards. “The MNM had stated that the welfare of the people is its main political objective. But Vijay is going ahead with his TVK (Tamizhaka Vetri Kazhakam) after identifying a clear political rival (the DMK). But you have not identified one,” anchor Johny Lukose said.  

“I too can identify,” Haasan said. “But my enemy is bigger than most parties would dare to identify. My direct enemy, I will go for the kill, is casteism,” he said. The word “kill” was not thrown in casually. “Why did I use a violent word like ‘kill’? Because casteism has been very, very violent. It has to be dealt with deliberately and as soon as possible. So I have chosen my enemy. It’s a big enemy, and my work is big, and yours too,” he said. 

When there was loud applause, Haasan smiled. “It is not enough that you applaud and leave the place. Because what I am taking on cannot be taken on by one man alone,” he said.  

As for where he stood politically, Haasan’s articulation sounded uncertain and vague. “Mine is the only centrist party in the whole of Asia,” Haasan said. 

Kamal Haasan, along with Manju Warrier, was in conversation with Manorama News editor Johnny Lukose during the Hortus session titled ‘Sagara Sangamam’. Photo: Manorama.

The thespian elaborated the remark using his hands as an example. “Like I have two hands, there are two philosophies. One is left, and one is right,” Haasan said.

The filmmaker who had unmistakably identified with the Left, through his films like ‘Anbe Sivam’ and his public statements, curiously said: “I have my favourite hand, and I will keep it to myself.” He then added, “Whenever I see people, I bring both hands together. And that is because I am a centrist by nature. Mine is the only centrist party in Asia.”

His subsequent comment was far more cryptic. “So if you ask me about leaning, I will lean when it is necessary. It is not bowing or kneeling; it is just leaning. If you have to pick up something good, you have to lean,” Haasan said. Oddly, the Rajya Sabha MP did not rule out leaning to the ‘Right’.  

If not leaning, Haasan said he was trained to be a centrist. “All my heroes have been those people who had that great equipoise. I didn’t invent, I just discovered this position,” he said.

Haasan said that he was not in a position to advise his “brother” Vijay. “If I had the knowledge to provide advice, why would I meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Patnaikji (Odisha CM),” the actor said. He also felt that advice came to him at the wrong time. Maybe it is not the right moment to advise my brother. Experience is a better teacher than any of us because we have a bias and experience doesn’t,” he said. 

He was sarcastic about politics in general when Manju Warrier said that she did not have the knowledge to enter politics. She even revealed that many political parties had attempted to enrol her. “But to be in politics, you should have knowledge,” she said. Haasan butted in to ask: “Do you think so?”, provoking widespread laughter.

When Manju said she was not cut out for politics, Haasan had a word of advice.  “You have the right to keep your political beliefs absolutely private. But she has to come to the voting booth. That is my only request. That’s the time you have to come to politics. Even if the voting booth is a dirty place, you should come,” he said.

All said, Haasan wanted more women to be in politics. “We produce iron ladies,” he said. “Just 300 kms from here, there was J Jayalalitha. There should be more of such coming in. Equity should be visible, palpable,” Haasan said. 

He also sounded a bit offended when the anchor suggested that women actors of the  past were weak. Before the question could even be completed, Haasan butted in. “I have met actresses better than the director. Savitri was capable enough to direct a film. A dumb bimbo was just one of the roles she was playing,” Haasan said.