Perhaps setting the tone for an amicable political relationship in the initial days of their political careers, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Tuesday, 13 March, said that as a policy of the party, he will not criticise Rajinikanth the individual, but will criticise his party’s ideology and politics if he does disagree with it in the future.
After Rajinikanth starts his political party and announces his ideology, if we have any criticism for it, we will be tough with it, and if we have appreciation for it, we will be open about it.Kamal Haasan
Speaking at an awards event organised by News18 Tamil, and fielding questions from popular Tamil news anchor and journalist M Gunasekaran, Kamal said that he will question Rajinikanth’s politics if the need arises. He was responding to a question on why he has refused to criticise Rajini so far.
“And even when we do criticise, we won’t criticise him, we will criticise his politics if we disagree with it,” he said.
Kamal also fielded questions on several other issues – from his criticism of the present AIADMK government to which political stalwart of the past he models himself on.
When asked if he is particularly targeting the ruling party over personal differences, he said:
For me, the AIADMK is another political party. My criticism is about the present government. The AIADMK is a party, that’s all. Like my party, that is also a party, that’s all.
Watch the video below.
The actor-turned-politician had launched his political outfit ‘Makkal Needhi Maiam’ on 21 February. Days before the launch, Kamal met Rajinikanth at his Poes Garden residence in Chennai.
Rajinikanth and Kamal's relationship goes back decades, as the duo have acted in several films together in the 1970s.
It is a courtesy call and not a political meet. I met him and told him about my decision. I am meeting people I like before I begin my journey. Meeting him is part of friendship, not about politics.Kamal told reporters after his meeting.
Rajinikanth also spoke to the media following the visit. He said, "Kamal wants to serve the people of Tamil Nadu. I will pray to god that he will attain success."
(The story was originally published on The News Minute and has been republished with permission.)