Kamal Haasan has done it again. Recently, he openly accused the E Palaniswami government of corruption and when politicians asked him for proof of corruption in Tamil Nadu, he urged people to send their stories of corruption to the ministers. Haasan urged people to mail the ministers individually, detailing the troubles they went through because of this government’s corruption. He even gave the link http:www.tn.gov.in/ministerslist for people to send their complaints of corruption.
However, this is not the first time Haasan has taken the bull by its horn. In the recent years, the Tamil superstar has courted many controversies.
Here is a list.
1. Tamil ‘Big Boss’
A Right-wing outfit Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) is demanding the arrest of Haasan. Haasan, the host of the Tamilian version of the reality show Bigg Boss, said abusive words are part of the society after an outrage erupted over foul words spoken on the platform telecast on national television.
The members of the Hindu Makkal Katchi were seen holding a protest outside the house of Tamil cinema superstar in Chennai.
Demanding the arrest of the 62-year-old actor, the members of HMK said that ‘with such vulgar reality shows, the societal values are being harmed’. Threatening to damage cinema halls that feature the movies of Haasan, the HMK stated that this can only be avoided if he is stopped from hosting the show.
2. Haasan’s view on Mahabharata
The actor, in an interview to a private channel, made a comment on how in the epic tale of Mahabharata, Panchali was used as a pawn while the men gambled. He observed how she was used as a collateral and India is a country that respects and honours a book that revolves around men using a woman to gamble away as if she was a mere object.
Soon after he made these comments, HMK party members filed a complaint against him at the Chennai City Police Commissionerate.
Rama Ravikumar, the state secretary of the party, stated that the actor’s comments hurt their religious sentiments and that he was ‘anti-Hindu’.
3. Actor’s views on Jallikattu
Haasan, while defending the festival of Jallikattu said that those opposing the sport branding it cruel should also ban biryani.
Speaking at the India Today South Conclave in Chennai, the actor said, “If you want a ban on jallikattu, let’s also ban biryani.”
He added, “I’m probably one of few actors, who’ve played jallikattu. I am a proud Tamilian. This is our culture.”
The 62-year-old actor had said that people hurt the animal in Spain and it would die, but in Tamil Nadu bulls are treated like “gods, as part of the family”.
His comments drew widespread opposition and also support, making him grab the limelight yet again.
4. Tweet related to Jayalalitha’s death
While the death of Jayalalitha sent ripples across the state, Haasan held an altogether different view on it.
The film star faced flak after he tweeted this:
The tweet said, ““I feel for the people those who are dependent on her. Deep condolences to those concerned.”
No sooner did he say the words, that Twitterati slammed him for it with several people criticizing the actor for his sarcasm.
5. Vishwaroopam Controversy
In 2013, Hassan’s film Vishwaroopam ran into several controversies. The film was banned in Tamil Nadu for the fear of communal violence. The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazagham alleged that the film implied all Muslims were terrorists. The ban was later lifted by the Madras High Court.
Made on a whopping budget of Rs 96 crore, Kamal Haasan, in an exclusive interview to Puthiya Thalaimurai, said that he had suffered over Rs 55 crore loss during Vishwaroopam.
Without mentioning Jayalalithaa’s name, Kamal Haasan came out strongly against the former, saying, “It was that one person… the person who was in power. It wasn’t the communists or the DMK.”
Talking about in February, the actor tweeted:
6. Kamal Hassan’s remarks on Chennai Floods
The actor found himself in the eye of yet another controversy when he commented on the government’s role in the Chennai Floods in 2015.
In an interview to Firstpost, the actor said, “It’s a nightmare for the poor and the middle class. The rich should feel guilty. I am not so rich and yet I feel guilty when I look outside my window and see how people in my city are suffering.”
“It will take Chennai months to get back to normal even when the rains stop. Where is all of the taxpayer’s money going? I don’t take black money. I pay my taxes. What is being done for me and my people with my hard-earned money?”
While he was slammed on social media platform, the then Finance Minister, O. Pannerselvam slammed the actor for his comments and said that the actor was ‘confused’ and had ‘blabbered’ unaware of the ground reality, he said.
(Feature image source: Reuters)