When Kamal Haasan caused bitter feelings to MGR and Karunanidhi
- IndiaGlitz, [Thursday,July 27 2017]
Kamal Haasan who has completed close to 60 years as an actor had been maintaining a good rapport with the yesteryear Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. He was especially a pet for both M.G.Ramachandran and M.Karunandihi, who were strong rivals in politics.
In his recent interview to a Tamil weekly magazine the multi-talented star has opened up some unknown pages of his story with the two most influential leaders of TN politics and also how he had his share of fall outs with those two legends.
T.N.Balu, the writer-director of Kamal Haasan's 'Sattam En Kayyil' was arrested by MGR's Government when the prohibition was implemented in the state. When the film was about to celebrate its 100th day run, the director was in jail. Kamal went directly to MGR and literally touched his feet to release Balu since 'Sattam En Kayyil' was his first film to complete 100 days in theatres. MGR obliged and Balu attended the function. Balu was close with the DMK leadership and hence the then opposition leader Karunanidhi also attended the function and the DMK leader made Kamal sit next to him on the dais. Within the function was over, Balu escaped to Bangalore with the help of DMK people. He was taken in Kamal's car and it was driven by his brother Charu Haasan. When MGR came to know about this he did not talk with Kamal for six months.
Likewise in 1988, Kamal had a conflict of opinion with the DMK President. That year Tamil films had won eight National. One among the award winning films was 'Ore Oru Gramathiley' whose story was written by poet Vaali. Kamal had organised a function to felicitate those who fetched the National honour for the the state. Karunanidhi was the chief guest for the event On the dais Karunanidhi refused to present felicitate the director of 'Ore Oru Gramathile' since the film was against Caste based reservation. The rational leader even registered his criticisms on the film during his speech at the event. Kamal was the last person to address the gathering and while speaking he said something against what the senior leader had spoken. This did not go well with Karunanidhi as he did not get a chance to counter Kamal's comments. He later insisted Kamal to retract his final statement by organising a press meet but Kamal refused to do so and stood his ground with his views. But the influential politician just took it as a difference of opinion and did not carry the bitter feeling for long. .
These two anecdotes would give a clear picture of how Kamal Haasan's relationship with powerful politicians has evolved and how stupid is it to call him a coward.