No politics in visiting Kalam's house: Kamal Haasan

Rameswaram: Kamal Haasan, after visiting Kalam's house here, tweeted: “Greatness can come from simple beginnings. Actually it will come only from simplicity. Glad to start my journey from a great man's simple abode”. Arriving from Madurai late Tuesday night, Kamal slept at the Hyatt and woke up early to be in time for the breakfast with the Kalam family, arriving there at 7.45. Maraikayer led the family in the fatiha and placed his hand on Kamal's head as blessing.

The activist-actor was to address the students of the local government school, where Kalam's had learnt his first lessons, but the district education officials denied permission saying the children would “get confused” by political speeches. There was no politics in the decision to visit the school, insisted Kamal at his media intercalation, just as there was no politics in going to Kalam's house.

“They could stop me from going to school but they cannot stop me from learning”, he said. “Kalam is an important person for me…I was attracted by his patriotism and aspirations. His life formed part of my learning”. When asked to comment on criticism that he was now using Kalam for his political launch whereas he had chosen not to attend the great man's funeral, Kamal replied, “I don't attend funerals; my belief is that”.

Referring to the lyrics of a song from one of his films, he said he was prepared to learn even if that meant “breaking barriers”. Asked what difference he saw between his avatars as an actor and as a politician, he said the former had a bit of “barter system” in it. “Cinema is a medium to connect with people and so is politics. But there is more responsibility as a politician. It was like barter system-there (in cinema) -- their (people's) money for my talent. But there is no such thing here (in politics),” he said, meaning he would not take money (bribe) for working for the people.

On being hailed by his fans and supporters as 'Nammavar' (our man), Kamal said that was their way of “owning me up as their man.” He had starred in a film titled 'Nammavar.' “It is the name of a film. My fans are aware of it. It's owning me, it's our man, that's what it means,” he said. Replying to a question, he said anyone with a passion, time and desire to join politics should do so. “Even you (journalists) should come to politics. Once advocates used to come to politics in large numbers... nobody questioned... when actors come, people question,” he added. After the media meet, Kamal drove to Madurai, about 170 km from here, for his evening public rally and party launch. He addressed fans and public who gathered at a few places en route, including his native Paramakudi.