Close on the heels of his fellow star and contemporary Rajinikanth hinting that he would enter politics in the near future, actor Kamal Haasan, who unveiled the promotional video of his much-awaited television debut show Bigg Boss , had a lot to say about recent political developments here in Chennai on Friday.
The first episode of the show, which will have 14 contestants living inside the ‘Big Boss’ house without access to the outside world for 100 days, will be telecast on June 24 by Star Vijay television. Mr. Kamal Haasan will anchor the show every Saturday. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Kamal Haasan said that he chose to do Bigg Boss because of the show’s underlying theme centred on ‘cohabitation’ and ‘cooperation’.
“In the 21st century, the meaning of the word ‘enemy’ and the idea of ‘total defeat of the enemy’ have lost their meaning. We live in a world where co-operation and cohabitation is necessary. This is also why I am doing the show. I am not here to create controversies. I will be like a big brother in the show. Since, I am not going to be acting, I will be as natural as I am while speaking in public or to the press,” he said, adding, “It is an opportunity to reach so many millions of people every Saturday.”
Stating that the show will be not be ‘scripted for controversies’, he said that people tend to forget the cameras. “People usually forget that the cameras are around them. The programme will automatically be interesting because of this,” said Mr. Kamal Haasan.
Asked why he opted for a show like Bigg Boss instead of a more socially conscious show such as Satyameva Jayate popularised by actor Aamir Khan which dealt with social issues prevalent in India, Mr. Kamal Haasan shot back saying, “I have been more socially responsible than the person who did the show Satyameva Jayate for a long time now,” he said.
Criticism against Rajini
Mr. Kamal Haasan also didn’t mince words when he was asked about politics – especially recent comments made by his friend Mr. Rajinikanth.
Disagreeing with those who have labelled Mr. Rajinikanth unfit to enter politics because he is an actor and for his ‘non-Tamil’ roots, he said, “Anyone who feels like a Tamil is a Tamil. Is Gandhi a Tamil? Is Subhas Chandra Bose a Tamil? Still, many people in my hometown are called Bose. I don’t agree with this,” he said. He added, “Leave alone actors. Looking at the political scenario today, no rational person should enter politics.”
Echoing Mr. Rajinikanth’s view that politics shouldn’t be considered as a vocation to make money, Kamal said, “Rajini didn’t say anything new or anything wrong when he said that the system is spoilt. Politics shouldn’t be a vocation to make money. Perhaps, we must pay the Chief Minister and MLAs more so that they don’t feel like making money on the side. A lot of things need to change.”
He further said that efforts are on to release Viswaroopam II within this year.
