From lecturing the public on political purity to grovelling for a Rajya Sabha seat like a washed-up extra begging for a cameo, he’s gone from Ulaganayagan to DMK’s court jester. The man who once promised to clean up Tamil Nadu now clings to the very filth he vowed to fight. Congratulations, Kamal — your acting was so convincing, you fooled even yourself.
The real reason this self-declared intellectual floated a party wasn’t public service — it was pure personal vendetta. After Jayalalithaa gave him a ruthless reality check during the Vishwaroopam fiasco, his bruised ego needed a stage. But like a true coward, he only found the “guts” to launch his party and bark at AIADMK after Amma had passed away. Not courage — just opportunism in costume. Shameless doesn’t even begin to cover it.
The DMK endorsing him for Rajya Sabha was a reward for his hardwork. He worked hard for the DMK since 2018, ensuring no real opposition stood in their path to power. By portraying himself as an alternative to the two Dravidian parties, he ensured that the votes got split helping DMK to come to power. Political analysts note that in many constituencis MNM’s candidates were handpicked by the DMK effectively becoming DMK’s B-team. Once the DMK secured victory in 2021, Kamal faded into silence, only to resurface in 2024, mortgaging his entire party for a single Rajya Sabha seat—for himself. And in May 2025, the DMK kept its promise of the RS seat by nominating him.
Interestingly, most of Kamal Haasan’s key party members, having already anticipated his political leanings, either resigned or defected to the DMK. Kamal Haasan has proven time and again that he’s a classic turncoat—a third-rated opportunist who parades as an intellectual but operates with zero consistency or conviction.
This is the same man who surrendered his self-respect and his party’s relevance just to sit in the Rajya Sabha, shamelessly propping up the DMK’s crown prince someone half his age just to stay politically alive.
When Kamal Haasan Opposed DMK & Dravidian Parties
In 2020, Kamal Haasan personally released a statement on his official social media account, expressing criticism towards the ruling Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu regarding the escalating debts in the state stating, “Every man, woman, child & even an unborn child of Thamizh Nadu will have to bear a debt of ₹57,000. The 2 Dravidian parties who ruled & swindled alternatively are responsible. Let’s join hands & put an end to their looting. Come, let’s forge a wealthy, debt free Thamizh Nadu.”
Subsequently, he shared an MGR song, suggesting his anticipation and readiness to challenge the Dravidian parties in the forthcoming assembly elections. “Some people, for want, need, life, convenience, will catch legs of others… There is no honor in it, there is no shame in it He always catches the tail. Future will come, My duty will come, I will abolish this gangs game‘
Even at the inaugural event of his political party and in subsequent interviews, he consistently reiterated his commitment to removing the Dravidian parties from the political landscape. Following the inauguration of the party, during a session addressing queries from party members, the presenter posed the question, “Will you publicly declare that we will not ally with the parties and their affiliates that you have identified as corrupt?”
Kamal instantly replied, “Lets announce it, just think of this, We started a party like this, convene a meeting, and none of us knows how many years or months for the election. Instead of doing all this, we could have join a big party, bent a little and bow that’s enough, could have gone like that, why didn’t we go like that? I had the hope that it would not blossom into a democracy, that is why I dared and they said that if I fall from this, I will never be able to get up, even now Tamil Nadu is like that, unable to get up. That’s why we have taken this decision we will be one of them.
Hence, we can surely promise that we will not ally ourselves with baseless unworthy people, boldly swear that we will not ally our self with thieves. If we found that they are criminals, we promise that we will not cooperate, this is not an election promise, but a promise given at the beginning of the party.”
When Kamal Haasan Mocked The DMK
Back in 2021, the same Kamal Haasan was far from being a DMK ally—he frequently took jabs at the party and its leadership. One of his most controversial comments came when he mocked DMK president M.K. Stalin by suggesting that merely uttering his name was enough to insult the late DMK patriarch, M. Karunanidhi.
This statement was made in response to the backlash Kamal received from DMK supporters over a remark he had made referencing a wheelchair—widely perceived as a slight toward Karunanidhi. Clarifying his position at an event on 8 March 2021, Kamal said, “They misunderstood that I had insulted Karunanidhi when I spoke on wheelchair. But truly, if one were to insult Karunanidhi one has to just say M.K. Stalin.”
He didn’t stop there. Taking aim at the DMK’s election anthem “Stalin dhaan vaaraaru” (Stalin is coming), Kamal quipped that even dacoits these days announce their arrival in advance—an unsubtle dig at the DMK’s return to power.
He also accused the DMK of lifting ideas from his party’s manifesto, after the DMK released its vision document in Trichy on 7 March 2021. Kamal alleged that many of their promises closely mirrored those of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM). Kamal shared, “I once protested against the imposition of Hindi, but ironically ended up acting in Hindi films. Back then, the political climate justified the protest. Today, rather than opposing Hindi, I would say ‘Long live Tamil’. Let Tamil thrive too.”
Kamal Haasan: From DMK Critic To DMK Stooge
After a series of electoral defeats, Kamal Haasan and his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), struggled to stay politically relevant. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, MNM contested 37 seats but failed to win even one, managing only 0.40% of the total vote share (around 16 lakh votes). It was a complete washout.
Things didn’t improve in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where MNM fielded candidates in 180 constituencies and again failed to win a single seat, securing just 2.62% of the votes. The party faced similar rejection in Puducherry, contesting 22 seats with no wins and just 1.89% of the vote. Across these elections, most MNM candidates lost their deposits, including Kamal Haasan himself. Despite initial speculation of a possible alliance with the Congress in 2019, the party ended up isolated and ineffective, especially in rural regions.
Faced with repeated rejection at the ballot box, Kamal Haasan reached for his last resort—mortgaging his political outfit for personal ambition. In a desperate bid to enter Parliament, he struck a deal with the DMK, a party he once harshly criticized. That trade-off? A Rajya Sabha seat for himself.
The irony is glaring. Kamal once wrote, “Some people, out of need, convenience, or desperation, will stoop to catch others’ feet. There’s neither pride nor shame in it. He always catches the tail. My time will come. My duty will come. I will put an end to this puppet show.” Yet today, he’s the one clinging to the very puppet strings he promised to cut.
Kamal Haasan Buttressing DMK Scion Udhayanidhi Stalin
Even more telling is how Kamal transformed into a vocal supporter of DMK’s ideological line. After DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin stirred nationwide outrage by calling for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma, comparing it to diseases like dengue and malaria, Kamal stepped in—not to condemn, but to defend.
In a social media post, Kamal Haasan framed Udhayanidhi’s remarks as part of healthy democratic discourse, “The hallmark of a true democracy is the ability to disagree and engage in open discussion. History has shown that asking the right questions leads to better answers and a more progressive society,” he said. Backing the Dravidianist rejection of the term “Dharma,” Kamal Haasan insisted that Udhayanidhi had the right to his opinion and urged critics to respond with debate—not legal threats or emotional manipulation. “Tamil Nadu has always been a space for intellectual debate. We must evaluate our traditions with an eye toward inclusivity, equality, and progress,” he concluded.
In 2023, Kamal Haasan offered an unusually glowing birthday tribute to Udhayanidhi Stalin, lauding his performance as Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development. He tweeted, “Anbu Thambi @Udhaystalin has achieved remarkable achievements in the responsibilities he has taken on in a short period of time. My heartfelt birthday greetings to my brother Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is working effectively as the Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development of the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Youth Secretary of the DMK.”
This public praise wasn’t just a casual birthday message—it reflected the well-understood political reality in Tamil Nadu, to stay in the DMK’s favor, especially under the current regime, one must be in the good graces of Udhayanidhi. This unwritten rule applies not only to newcomers but also to seasoned politicians. Kamal Haasan’s praise, therefore, came across more as a strategic show of allegiance than a genuine acknowledgment—an act seen by many as political sycophancy.
Kamal Haasan Buttressing DMK During Chennai Rains Flooding the City
During the severe floods that crippled Chennai in December 2023, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan emerged not as a critic of the government’s handling, but as a vocal defender of the DMK administration. At a press conference on 8 December 2023, Kamal downplayed the state’s responsibility, instead blaming the unprecedented rainfall and climate change for the disaster.
Despite claiming to lead a party rooted in clean and accountable politics, Kamal’s recent stance showed complete alignment with the DMK’s narrative. He went so far as to claim the city received 56 cm of rainfall in 24 hours—a figure that did not align with official IMD records. Still, he insisted that, “Instead of pointing fingers, now is the time to set aside criticism and work together.”
Kamal urged the public to take individual responsibility, “The government cannot reach out to one crore people at once. We must be prepared ourselves. We can criticise the government later. For now, let’s focus on supporting the efforts being made.”
He also praised the media for not “sensationalising” the crisis and, in a surprising shift, placed the blame on citizens for buying homes in flood-prone areas, “We are the ones buying land, filling it with sand and building on it. The government comes in later. This is a collective failure, and we must correct it.”
But this tone was in stark contrast to Kamal Haasan’s own statements during the 2015 Chennai floods. Back then, he had sharply criticised the AIADMK government for its failure to manage the crisis. Speaking to the media, he had said, “I’m ashamed to watch my fellow citizens suffer. If this is Chennai, imagine the condition of other areas. Even after the rains stop, it will take months for the city to recover. The government machinery has collapsed.”
He had gone further, questioning the use of taxpayer money and lashing out at politicians, “I don’t believe in God—but I have even less trust in politicians who call themselves gods. Where is the money we paid in taxes? If such emergencies arise, the government expects donations from people like me. But I give not as a wealthy man who exploited others—but as someone who genuinely cares for the people.”
Kamal’s transformation from a vocal critic of poor governance to a convenient apologist for the current regime underscores his shifting political calculus—one seemingly driven more by personal ambition than public accountability.
Kamal Haasan Blamed Hooch Tragedy Victims, Not DMK Government
Not only that, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, in 2024, failed to hold the DMK government accountable for the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy despite it being the second such incident under their watch. Instead of calling out the state’s repeated administrative failure, Haasan chose to blame the victims themselves.
On 20 June 2024, following the initial reports of the tragedy in which 36 people died after consuming illicit liquor, Kamal Haasan posted on X, “Tamil Nadu has been shocked by the news that 36 people have died, and many others are in critical condition after consuming illicit liquor in Kallakurichi. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I wish those undergoing treatment a speedy recovery. The government of Tamil Nadu should crack down on the bootlegger dealers with an iron fist so that such a tragedy does not happen again in Tamil Nadu. Rehabilitation centers should be set up immediately to help drug addicts get rid of it. Now is the time for each of us to get involved in the war against addiction.”
However, as the death toll rose to 58, criticism mounted online against silent celebrities and vocal DMK sympathizers. Under pressure, Haasan visited Kallakurichi on June 23. But instead of acknowledging systemic lapses or demanding accountability, he doubled down, shifting the blame entirely onto the victims.
Addressing the media, Kamal said, “These victims will have to understand they have exceeded their limit, and they have been careless. They have to be careful. They have to take care of their health. My request to the government would be to create psychiatric centres which will counsel them.”
“It has to be occasional drinking, social drinking if at all. But they must understand that exceeding limit in any form be it sugar, or anything is bad,” the part-time politician added.
Haasan’s remarks drew criticism for lacking empathy and ignoring the root causes: unchecked illicit liquor networks, weak law enforcement, and recurring administrative negligence. Rather than demanding a robust crackdown or justice for the families affected, Kamal’s comments came across as tone-deaf, deflecting blame from a failing system to the most vulnerable.
Kamal Haasan Attempts To Shield DMK by Diverting Attention From Hindi Imposition Backlash With Gibberish
This was amidst growing public backlash over the DMK’s in the imaginary Hindi imposition issue—which had politically backfired, Kamal Haasan, out of nowhere stepped in to deflect attention and protect the ruling party. At a time when the delimitation debate was not even a issue, Kamal attempted to redirect the conversation and temporarily shift focus away from the DMK’s misstep.
Speaking to reporters, Haasan, who has aligned his Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) with the DMK in pursuit of a Rajya Sabha seat, commented, “My opinion is that this 453 (seats) need not change. Even when it was 145 crores, these 453 members led the country to this position today…they are sufficient. If at all, they have to increase the number of seats, all govt decisions made in the centre are executed by the states. If at all they want to increase number of people’s representatives, let the Assembly seats be increased…”
This statement not only misstated the actual number of Lok Sabha seats (543 elected + 2 nominated), but also seemed more like a strategic deflection from DMK’s political fall back. He appeared to play the role of a loyal ally—deflecting public scrutiny from the ruling party and helping shift focus away from its missteps.
Anti-Indian & Anti-Hindu Kamal Haasan
Beyond his political maneuvering to stay relevant and secure a foothold in the Rajya Sabha, Kamal Haasan has often echoed views aligned with the DMK’s anti-India and anti-Hindu stance. While he has made films like Kuruthipunal, Indian, and Hey Ram—the latter criticized for its portrayal of the Partition with a slant toward minority appeasement—his public statements and positions have repeatedly revealed a clear bias against Indian national ethos. Here are some notable instances that reflect Kamal Haasan’s recurring anti-India sentiments.
Called For Plebiscite In Kashmir
Part-time-politician Kamal Haasan, made his alignment move with the DMK in pursuit of a single Rajya Sabha seat in 2024, voiced strong opposition to the central government’s actions in Kashmir at the time of Article 370 abrogation. In 2019, he called the move to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcate the state into two Union Territories a “direct blow to democracy,” and called the move as an autocratic decision-making process.
“This move is highly regressive. Article 370 and 35A have historical significance, and any changes should have been made through a consultative and inclusive process,” he said.
Not only this, back in February 2019, during a public event in Chennai, Kamal Haasan raised several provocative questions, stating, “Why do the soldiers die? Why should our home’s watchman die? If politicians on both sides (in India & in Pakistan) behave properly, no soldier needs to die. The Line of Control will be under control. Why is India not holding a plebiscite in Kashmir? What are they (Indian government) afraid of?”
Said India’s First Terrorist Was A Hindu
In May 2019, actor-politician Kamal Haasan stirred controversy by calling Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, “free India’s first terrorist.” While campaigning in Aravakurichi, a Muslim-majority constituency in Tamil Nadu, Haasan stated, “I am not saying this because this is a Muslim-dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Free India’s first terrorist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it [terrorism] starts.” Emphasizing unity and equality, he added, “Good Indians desire for equality and want the three colours in the Tricolour to remain intact. I am a good Indian, will proudly proclaim that.”
His remarks drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders. Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan condemned the statement, calling it “strongly condemnable” and accused Haasan of inciting “communal violence” through “divisive vote bank politics.” She urged the police to take action and ban his campaign.
In response, Haasan later clarified, “Let me tell you terrorists abound all religions. Every religion has its own terrorists, and we cannot claim that we are sanctimonious.” He emphasized that his speech aimed at maintaining harmony and warned that arresting him would escalate tensions: “Let them arrest. But if they arrest me tensions will escalate.”
His film Hey Ram was another attempt at minority appeasement in which he would’ve shown Hindu nationalists as Nazis.
Anti-Hindu Statements By Kamal Haasan
While he may have made statements in public claiming he is atheist, Kamal Haasan ensured to inject anti-Hindu themes into his films, often portraying Hindu symbols and traditions in a negative light. In Kaathala Kaathala (1998), a Hindu religious figure—also depicted as a liquor merchant—converts a classroom into a cow shed and forces the hero to fake a miracle for a fraudulent Hindu godman, a trope more commonly associated with Christian evangelists.
In Manmadhan Ambu (2010), Haasan himself penned a controversial song in which a woman mockingly prays to goddess Varalakshmi for a sexually satisfying husband, even expressing willingness to convert religions. The song also ridicules the goddess’s husband as someone who is “always sleeping.”
Facing backlash from Hindu groups like Hindu Munnani, Haasan was forced to remove the song, though he claimed he did so to protect producer Udhayanidhi Stalin’s interests.
On Sacred Thread
In July 2018, actor-politician Kamal Haasan held a Q&A session on Twitter where he candidly answered questions from his fans. When asked which books (“nool” in Tamil) had influenced his life, Haasan replied with a pointed wordplay that sparked controversy. He said, “There is a thread I avoided. The thread affected me a lot – Poonool. That is why I avoided it.”
The remark, referring to the sacred thread traditionally worn by Brahmins, drew sharp criticism from members of the Brahmin community. Offended by what they saw as a dismissive statement about a significant religious symbol, the community issued a statement condemning his comment. “The poonool is the most secular thread and his statement has no logic,” they declared. The statement further accused Haasan of disrespecting his own roots, stating, “Kamal Haasan has no respect for his parent heritage and is putting forth a poor personality in front of the people and now people are more aware of it.”
Chozhas Are Not Hindus
Kamal Haasan supported Tamil director Vetrimaaran’s controversial claim that Raja Raja Chola “wasn’t Hindu.” Vetrimaaran, speaking at an event after the release of Ponniyin Selvan: 1, said, “They (BJP) are trying to steal our identity. They have already tried to saffronize Thiruvalluvar. We should never allow that.”
Kamal Haasan echoed this view, stating, “There was no name called ‘Hindu religion’ during Raja Raja Chola’s period. There was Vainavam, Shaivam, and Samanam, and it was the British who coined the term Hindu since they didn’t know how to refer to it collectively.” He compared it to the colonial renaming of places, saying, “It is similar to how they changed Thuthukudi into Tuticorin.”
BJP leader H Raja responded by pointing out that the king called himself Sivapadha Sekaran, and challenged, “Let him point out two churches and mosques built by Raja Raja Chola.” This controversy follows earlier criticism in 2019 by director PA Ranjith, who called the Chola period a “dark age” for Dalits.
Derogates Hindu Gods
While talking about women’s issues on a stage back in 2020, Kamal Haasan said, “Gods too wear less dress. A few Gods don’t wear any dress. When the mind is not spoiled by seeing those Gods, how come it is spoiled while seeing my sisters”. This statement of the MNM chief has invited severe backlash.
While addressing the women audience Kamal Haasan said, “I have never felt shy to speak in front of women. Because my house was mostly dominated by women. Women play an important role in the transformation of the world. Even before Gandhiji, women took part in the freedom struggle. They say that women wearing less dress is the reason for the rape crimes. Gods too wear less dress. A few Gods don’t wear any dress. When you don’t get the urge on seeing ‘that’, how come you feel the urge while seeing my sisters. It is mutual consent when there is love but when they want to have that without love, then is the problem”.
This remark of his came just days after he refused the ‘poornakumbham’ honours offered by Hindu priests on behalf of a Murugan Temple in Kanchipuram on 21 December 2020. According to sources, a member belonging to Kamal Haasan’s party and known to one of the Sivachariyars had approached to make arrangements for welcoming Kamal Haasan. Since the person was known to the priest, he had obliged to the request. However, they did not expect that the actor-politician would refuse it.
Kamal Haasan’s Political Drama Summed Up With Opening Door Stunt
Summing up Kamal’s politics in a single scene, in a notable display during an MNM party meeting at the Alwarpet office, Kamal Haasan made a dramatic gesture aimed at promoting integrity in politics. In the video, he firmly stated, “Only those who believe that they can be honest and win by doing politics like that can be here. If there is even a hint of disbelief in that, the door will open in a few seconds.” As he pointed toward the door, it theatrically opened symbolizing his challenge to any non-believers in his ideals to leave.
While the gesture was intended to inspire commitment to clean politics among his party members, it now seems ironic. In the years that followed, Kamal Haasan appeared to abandon those very principles himself making political compromises and alliances that contradict the integrity he once demanded from his cadre. In the end, it appears Kamal is the first to walk through that symbolic door.
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