CHENNAI: Taking head-on those who called him a “Twitter Tiger” — a reference to his raining tweets on various social issues — actor Kamal Haasan on Thursday gave a summary of the social awareness, philanthropic activities and the changes his ‘Narpani Mandram’ have brought in the society in the last 37 years.
The actor, who will begin his political journey from the residence of late president APJ Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram on February 21, announced that works are on full swing to create a “Model Village” — a village that will boast of world-class education, transport and civic amenities.
It is a model that Kamal says can be emulated by governments to develop the rural masses.
Titled “Naalai Namathey” (Tomorrow is Ours), the state-wide tour is being keenly awaited in political circles since the actor is expected to spell out his plans for the society, officially launch his ‘maiam-whistle’ mobile application and make public his political party’s name.
“Naalai Namathey” is the title of a super hit 1975 movie starred by the legendary MG Ramachandran, who used films as an effective medium and as a launch pad for his enviable political stint that culminated with him being the Chief Minister for 10 long years – three straight terms till his death.
In 1975, “Naalai Namathey” was a political statement and 43 years later, MGR’s peer from the film industry, Kamal, has borrowed the name for his political career.
“I have named the tour “Naalai Namathey” and even if this reminds of his (MGR’s) memories, so be it. We have chosen this name since it has good memories. Many can argue that I could have spoken about the name at the end of my article, which could have injected an element of suspense. Suspense may good on a film, but to indulge in straight talk is good for politics,” Kamal said.
In his weekly column in Tamil weekly Ananda Vikatan, Kamal said he has been forced to talk about the activities of his ‘Narpani Mandram’ since there is criticism that the actor has come only to criticise the system without any concrete plans to uplift the state.
“If things can be changed single-handedly (by him), and if the government which considers it all powerful gets into the act and does better things than me, I will consider my job as done. There is no point tweeting (about issues). I have rained tweets, but what to do, they don’t reach them,” Haasan said. The actor was referring to his tweets criticising the functioning of the AIADMK.
Claiming that there was no difference between his supporters and Bill Gates in helping the poor and donating what they have for the needy, Kamal said he and his fans borrowed good practices from Lion’s Club, Rotary Club and other organisations and implemented them on a large scale in Tamil Nadu.
