While campaigning for Congress candidate EVKS Elangovan ahead of the Erode East bypolls, Kamal Haasan made a veiled reference targeting late AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa stating that she created hurdles for his film Vishwaroopam.
He siad ”When I took Vishwaroopam, an ‘ammayar’ created hurdles in its release and ridiculed me. Then, ‘Kalaingar’ (M Karunanidhi) called me over the phone and asked whether I needed any help and not to fear. I told him, I will take care of it myself as it is not a national issue. Even the current Chief Minister MK Stalin called me over phone and assured help,”.
However, he has been called out by many like senior journalists ‘Thuglak’ Ramesh and Mani for peddling lies and denigrating the late Jayalalithaa even after her death, for the sake of votes.
While many called his statement as an attempt to woo DMK for securing a seat in 2024 Lok Sabha elections, his statement about Jayalalithaa has opened the pandora box revealing his past shenanigans.
When Krishnasamy Made Kamal Go Bonkers: The Sandiyar – Virumaandi Saga
Kamal Haasan starrer Virumaandi is today known as a movie that spoke of capital punishment with the film narrated in a Roshomon-esque style. However, this film of Kamal Haasan too was mired in controversies. Initially, the film was titled ‘Sandiyar’. In Tamil, the word Sandiyar refers to a glorified ruffian and is often construed to belonging to the dominant Thevar caste.
With the film being set in Theni district (an area where Thevar population is concentrated), and the plot revolving around Thevar castes, it caught the attention of Puthiya Tamilagam party’s chief Dr. K. Krishnasamy.
As the initial posters and promos of the film showed Kamal having caste identities and holding billhooks, Dr. Krishnasamy argued that the film valorises the Thevars with whom the Dalits have been perpetually at loggerheads often resulting in communal violence.
Dr. Krishnasamy charged that the film threatens to bring back the ‘aruval’ (sickle) culture which has claimed many lives in Tamil Nadu charged and threatened to disrupt the shooting.
Kamal appealed for police protection for his film unit, and had even paid them for it. But the actor was asked to pack up and leave. Then Theni Superintendent of Police Amalraj told Kamal that there would be law and order issues if the shooting commenced and returned the money offered for police protection. During a press meet in Chennai, when Jayalalithaa was asked whether police protection would be given to the film crew for shooting, she stated that it wasn’t the job of the police. Following this, Kamal later approached then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
What transpired between the two remains a secret but after the negotiations held between the two sides, Kamal was made to change the title of the film to Virumaandi.
Even today, there is a clip available on YouTube in which a seemingly drunk Kamal Haasan goes on a rant upset about the controversy surrounding the film name, courtesy Dr. Krishnasamy.
Kamal Prostrating Before Jayalalithaa
Kamal’s production house Raaj Kamal Films later published an advertisement in leading dailies praising and thanking Jayalalithaa for her advice.
“With the ripening of time, and realizing my situation, I on behalf of Raaj Kamal Films International artists, technicians and workers heartfully thank Jayalalithaa for offering a just advice. With love, Kamal Haasan”, read the ad.
This incident was recollected and shared on social media by Dr. Krishnasamy’s son Dr. Shyam Krishnasamy of Puthiya Tamilagam.
He tweeted ”Let’s keep aside the support given by Karunanidhi to Viswaroopam. But when Kamal Haasan did ‘Sandiyathanam’ (indulging in nefarious activities), did he forget that it was the ‘ammaiyaar’ who gave ‘just advice’ and saved him and his film? It is not just the movie name that was changed, Kamal’s sting too!
விஸ்வருபத்திற்கு கருணாநிதி கொடுத்த ஆதரவு இருக்கட்டும்,
ஆனால் கமல்ஹாசன் ‘சண்டியத்தனம்’ செய்த போது,
“நியாயமான அறிவுரை வழங்கி”
அவரையும் அவர் படத்தையும் காப்பாற்றியது என்னவோ அந்த ‘அம்மையார்’ தான் என்பதை கமல் மறந்துவிட்டாரா?!மாறியது படப்பெயர் மட்டுமல்ல,
கமலின் கொட்டமும் தான்! pic.twitter.com/ooHdxkiHpC— Shyam Krishnasamy (@DrShyamKK) February 20, 2023
Much waters have flown down the Theni. Kamal Haasan, who today is badmouthing about the late Jayalalithaa kept his tail tucked between his legs when the lady was around.
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