On 20 February 2023, part-time politician Kamal Haasan of Makkal Needhi Maiam addressed a large gathering in Erode canvassing votes for Congress candidate EVKS Elangovan. He recalled how in 2013 the then Chief Minister the late J. Jayalalithaa allegedly troubled him during the release of his movie ‘Vishwaroopam’.
He stated that “The lady made me stumble and ridiculed me in 2013. Karunanidhi and the current Chief Minister contacted me and asked me if I needed any help. I replied to them that this is not a national issue, and I will handle it. I did it without bowing to the pressure.”
Kamal had alleged that the agitation was orchestrated by then ruling party AIADMK under Jayalalithaa of harboring personal vengeance against him. He also claimed that the AIADMK wanted him to fall at their leader’s feet to get relief from the issue.
Responding to these allegations made by Kamal in the campaign, senior journalist ‘Thuglak’ Ramesh said ”He is trying to coax DMK and its leader MK Stalin in the hope of securing a constituency to contest for the next Lok Sabha election. What he said was utter lie. As someone who had directly involved in this issue before, I am shocked that Kamal Haasan has stooped low by lying for political gain. Already he had jumped to this side by saying ‘maiyyam’. He has already proved his party has no ideology of its own and by supporting DMK-Congress alliance. He hasn’t been able be decisive like Seeman. He has escaped to this side for political gain. Because, only his last film (Vikram produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin) has been able to repay his loans. Nobody watches Bigg Boss these days. I don’t know if he is harbouring wishes to become MP. But for that, he shouldn’t speak lies like this.”
“Why did Vishwaroopan face problems? Tamil Nadu government didn’t ban it. Islamic organizations threatened a bug protest if the film was screened. I ask my respectable friend, the head of Manitha Neya Makkal Katchi Jawahirullah should come out and talk about this with conscience. Many Islamic Organizations including Thowheed Jamaadh had announced to protest against this film saying that the film contains anti-Muslim scenes. Should a government allow the screening of a film despite knowing that there will be law and order issue. Is his film of such national importance to be released despite law and order issues? He had exclaimed to run away from the country. I know the full story of what happened then.”
Ramesh added that when the ruling AIADMK party was being blamed he met the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at the Secretariat and discussed with her about this.
“I have also documented this incident in my book. She then arranged for an impromptu press conference and cleared the matter. Samathuva Makkal Katchi leader Sarathkumar who was the then leader of South Indian Actors Association was also well aware about this. Then Kamal Haasan agreed to censor the sensitive scenes, so that the film got released.”
He concluded that Kamal Haasan’s statement degrading the then CM Jayalalitha after her untimely demise signifies that he would stoop to any low for political gain.
(With inputs from Pesu Thamizha Pesu )
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