Actor Kamal Haasan, who is embarking on a mass outreach programme on February 21, said his first political sojourn will be called “Naalai Namadhey.” In that tour, he plans to meet the people of southern districts such as Ramanathapuram, Madurai, and Sivagangai. “People said that this first political event needs a name and I could only think of ‘Naalai Namadhey’. Some pointed out that it was MGR’s film title…he too had the same dream. Only good things come to mind when I think of ‘Naalai Namadhey’,” said actor Kamal Haasan to reporters at Chennai airport.
Stating that any decision on contesting in local body polls will be taken after consultation, he said, “I am going to register the political party on February 21. After that, the party’s council will take a decision. If I say something now, it will just be ‘my decision’.” He added, “We will be adopting a village and show how changes can be brought about.”
Giving solutions
Speaking about the steep hike in bus fares implemented by the State government, actor Kamal Haasan said: “People say that I am just criticising without stating the solutions. Sometimes, we have to show it to them how it can be done. We can look at how other States solved the problems.”
He also questioned the idea that the State Transport Corporation need not necessarily run for profit. “It is the government’s duty to subsidise public transport for the benefit of the people,” he said.
The actor also commented on Kanchi Mutt seer Vijayendra Saraswathi not standing up for the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu at a recent book release function. Disagreeing with the reason given by Kanchi Mutt that the pontiff was meditating on stage for not showing respect, he said, “This is the reason why I said official anthems should not be played in random events. I said the same thing about national anthems being played in movie theatres because people won’t be the same and such incidents could happen.” He added, “Meditating is his duty, standing up is my duty.”
