Dial K for Kamal Haasan in AAP cap

At sea over ideological backing, Kamal Haasan could find the AAP anti-corruption model to be a fit and hence the meeting with Arvind Kejriwal.

WrittenBy:R Rangaraj
Date:
Article image
  • Share this article on whatsapp

Is Kamal Haasan searching for the right political model or the ideal guru before entering the political arena? This is the question that his fans want to know, especially after Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called on the actor in Chennai on September 21.

subscription-appeal-image

Support Independent Media

The media must be free and fair, uninfluenced by corporate or state interests. That's why you, the public, need to pay to keep news free.

Contribute

Kamal had met Kerala Chief Minister and a leading face of the CPI(M), Pinarayi Vijayan in that neighbouring state. He also shared the dais with DMK working president M K Stalin, at an event of a DMK newspaper, and revealed that many years ago his father Karunanidhi had invited him to join the DMK. He had a running battle with leaders of the AIADMK on issues like corruption in the state.

However, observers believe that he is making the right kind of noises for a political entry but would stop short of launching a political party or join one. At the moment, he is basking in the media limelight. Any publicity is good publicity, after all. The longer he maintains the suspense over his course of action, the more he figures on national television.

For the moment, it appears that Kamal Haasan has succeeded in forcing his friend and arch-rival, Rajinikanth, to delay his political entry. A few months ago, all headlines were about Rajini having decided to join politics. What Kamal has done is to cleverly push Rajini to the background, and move to the centrestage himself.

The challenge that Kamal poses before Rajini is that he has to not only reckon with established parties like the AIADMK and DMK, he has to also take on Kamal. So far, despite a rivalry below the surface, hidden by their smiles and talk of mutual respect and admiration, Rajini has always praised Kamal from every public platform, confessed that he can never act like Kamal Haasan and that he did not possess the talent of the latter. If Rajini chose to enter politics, he would have to criticise and challenge Kamal’s party as well. That Rajini would like to avoid.

Speculation is rife about the kind of party that Kamal would like to launch or be associated with. His public defence of the Dravidian ideology (‘the word ‘Dravida would last as long as the Indian national anthem remained’ was a Kamal one-liner which was a big hit in social media), his criticism of Hindutva and a veiled attack on the BJP, his tilt towards the Left, makes one wonder whether he will follow Dravidian ideology or carve a niche for himself like Kejriwal. Kamal’s stand on corruption and his assertion that he was an honest tax-payer (paying millions in taxes — considered to be one of the highest IT payers in the film industry), brings him much closer to the Kejriwal mould, considering that the DMK too is mired in corruption charges right from the 2G spectrum issue.

Kejriwal and Kamal share one thing in common besides the first letter K – use of social media. Those close to Kamal believe that if he does want to enter politics, this is the best time. There is a vacuum in the sense Jayalalithaa is no more, and Karunanidhi is confined to his bed and has not been able to make a public appearance for months now. The AIADMK is gripped by infighting, and Stalin is still seen as Karunanidhi’s son by some, and not as a leader in his own right. The local body elections are around the corner, and Kamal’s supporters want him to test the waters in these polls. It is easier for political novices to contest ward elections rather an expensive Assembly or Parliament election.

Many of his films have hit hard at politicians. And that is Kamal’s dilemma. Should he join the political league which he had opposed all along or should he get into the system and try to clean it up?

subscription-appeal-image

Power NL-TNM Election Fund

General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together to focus on the issues that really matter to the voter. From political funding to battleground states, media coverage to 10 years of Modi, choose a project you would like to support and power our journalism.

Ground reportage is central to public interest journalism. Only readers like you can make it possible. Will you?

Support now

You may also like