I want to change the culture of politics: Kamal Haasan

Tamil superstar KamalHaasan has created a stir with his decision to join politics.On occasion of his 63rd birthday on Tuesday, the actor launched a unique app for whistleblowers.

While addressing the media, the actor saidthe app was being launched keeping in mind the welfare of the people.

In conversation with WION's Kartikeya Sharma, KamalHaasan spoke about his decision to join politics,demonetisation, Hindutva, future of Tamil Nadu and more...

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Q: You are a successful artist. How and when you decided to join politics?

A: 35 years back MGR asked me to join politics. Even Karunanidhi had asked me to join politics years back. But didn’t entertain the idea much but things changed 10 years back. My families too are averse to the idea of me joining politics. My family felt that people become corrupt after joining politics. Even in the film industry, I ensured that I don’t touch black money. I even suffered financial loss because of it but never compromised.

Q: Did anyone support you?

A: My daughters supported me but were afraid whether I will stop being an artist and I said how can that be possible? I said that I’m an artist and that cannot be changed. I told that artist doesn’t only mean becoming a protagonist in a film.

Q: Is there any particular issue which made you finally take the call to join politics?

A: I have been running a welfare movement for 39 years. The idea of converting fanclubs for politics is not new in Tamil Nadu. I disbanded the fan clubs and turned them into welfare associations. Even then politics was an impediment to social service. We rubbed many people including the government thewrong way. We had to keep ourselves in good books to do our job. MGR and Karunanidhi allowed us to do the job but it changed during Jaya.

Q: Why?

A: Jaya didn’t appreciate it. She didn’t like it. She was a powerful politician. It took me along time to understand that it was emanating from her as she disliked such voices and by the time I realised it Vishwaroopam was already in trouble.

Q: So, you were toying with the idea?

A: I had a great career going and I was thinking as to why I should rough it out.

In 2011-12, I decided to take the plunge and without hesitation, I decided to take on the government and thatI believe was an act of politics. People say that I was silent when Jaya was present but I did sue the government. I did affect the government and went on to win the case against them. They again banned the film and we lost almost 60 crores by the time of release. But I still went ahead because I felt it was the right thing to do. Later my brother said, leave it, the battle is won but I said it has just started.

Q: You are launching an appwhich will act as a device for whistleblowers? Are you saying that government hasfailed on corruption?

A: It is one part of the spectrum. It gives voice to the people. It is a platform for dialogue. It will have broad spectrum utility. It is a longwinded explanation which I will do in January. It is to get people together. It will have many versatile points of contact.

Q: The detractors would say that it can lead to civic vigilantism?

A: It is about vigil. In real life, vigilantism is a pedestrian dream to be put in practice. That is only done in films. It is about boldly talking to the government. It is within the parameters of the law.

Q: Election funding is the motherboard of corruption. How will you resolve this issue of funding? Will you also need funding?

A: Why should the fund be black. It can be neat and clean money.

Q: There is also an inducement. Look at the politics of inducement in your state. Freebies before elections?

A: They are paid Rs 2000 rupees in cash apart from freebies as most of the freebies are broken and substandard. A lot of people would say prove it but it is a fact. My argument is that because you take Rs 2000 rupees you lose the moral authority to question politicians.

He can always look back at you and say what about Rs 2000 I gave you. In the process, fiveyears of authority gets sold for 90 paisa per day. We need to restore people’s authority and they need to participate in it.

Q: What is your vision for Tamil Nadu and where does the malice lie?

A: Unemployment is the issue but it doesn’t emerge from the government. People also need to understand. Everyone wanttheir children to be engineers and doctors. This culture needs to end. That’s the problem. Other areas should be explored. I think after satyagraha and khadi movement, a "skill-set"movement is very important. To make India strong, a "skill-set"movement has to be strong. I’m already working on it. I want to expand it further when I go into politics.

Q: Past 40 years, Tamil politics has been divided intotwo poles. Is Tamil Nadu ready for a third party?

A: It is not about space but it is about intent and productive plan for people.

Q: Arvind Kejriwal met you lately. Did he ask you to join AAP?

A: He was a gentleman. He gave me three options including the choice to join them. I made it very clear as to what my intent was. It was very touching. I’m already meeting other chief ministers to educate myself. He was only exploring the possibility. Our understanding was that our pursuit is the same and that is to build the nation and hence we are tied to a common ideology.

Q: There is a debate on GST and demonetization taking place. What is your view on demonetisation?

A: The reason why I enthusiastically supported the idea was because I still feel that it is a workable idea. I don’t know how it was planned but I’m an enthusiast for the progress of the country. Like Satyamev Jayate is a beautiful idea. But how do you make satya win? It is not easy. There is a difference between an idea and its execution.

Q: Is politics losing its sense of equanimity? Artists are getting arrested over cartoons films like Mersal faced political outrage?

A: Absolutely. I don’t want to make BJP a whipping boy. The ear for dialogue is non-existent. Leave alone politician, lower level bureaucrats and policemen get affected and angry when asked questions. People abused Gandhi after the partition but he continued the dialogue. His didn’t cancel his meetings. The worst form of criticism is assassination and that too happened to Mahatma Gandhi.

Q. Culture, films and cinema are fused in Tamil Nadu. Does it make Tamil Nadu a unique state?

A: It exists in other states but maybe Tamil Nadu got the idea of using cinema as a propaganda tool from Germany. Germany proved to the world the power of propaganda and later the US also did a similar thing to counter Hitler. Tamil Nadu is unique and a forerunner.

Q: You had said that you are not an atheist but a rationalist. Please elaborate?

A: It is a name given by aastiks. I have a mindset of being rational. It is not my primary focus. For me, I have no religion or any God. A rational man would ask for certain proofs. Atheism is a name I refuse. Rational is good enough. My larger purpose is not to say where is God. There are Gods whose stars are fading. Maybe a new God would come. Look at it historically. Where is Zeus?

Q: You have been talking about a middle path. Today politics is swinging between caste equations and Hindutva? Where do you see yourself?

A: Hindutva is different. Hinduism is an umbrella under which Saivism, Vaishvanism and other forms of worship were brought together by the British. Neither Tamil literature nor Vedas record Hinduism as a sect. It is a large umbrella. You have to go to its finer points. My elder brother calls himself an atheist. He doesn’t believe in the concept. I would say that show me God. That is why I’m a rationalist. He is an atheist as he doesn’t wish for a God.

Q: National anthem is being played in cinema halls. Does its playout before films makepeople more patriotic?

A: It is like a commitment towards the nation. It cannot be forced upon anyone. In my timein 70s, they played the anthem in theatres and I found people casual about it as they wanted to go home or catch a bus. Never take it there. Keep it for solemn occasions.

Q: But current discourse has led to politicisation of patriotism?

A: You don’t have to remind people of it everytime. I sing national anthem with my children. InAugust it used to rain and I would go out in the rains with my children and sing thenational anthem.

Q: Your recent remarks on Hindu terror generated alot of controversy. What were you trying to imply?

A: It was a remark which was badly translated. I used words to describe extreme. I was talking about slow marshal and violent attitude creeping in the Hindu fold. We were a peaceful lot. I was being critical of it.

Q: Are you saying that Hindus are being radicalized?

A: Yes, and it is being facilitated by rhetoric. That’s what I was trying to criticise. To become a stronger country, we have to shun any form of violence.

Q: The rhetoric has political acceptance?

A: It is there because there is a belief that it is another way to establish Hindu hegemony. But there are other ways of showing largeness. Let us begin by showing a large heart and accommodate and let’s make it an inclusive society. I have nothing against the Hindu society. My elders believe in Sanatan Dharma. My daughters believe in God and I have to keep in mind that I don’t hurt them when I write something on the subject.

Q: Many people said that you failed to criticize someone like Zakir Naik while you were addressing the issues related to Hinduism?

A: I will criticise them also. They should not indulge in violence be it Christians or Muslims. No religion implies violence. All great books talk about love but we have become selective about them.

Q: Did the BJP ever approach you?

A: No. But PM selected me as the ambassador of Swachh Bharat and I accepted it because I’m willing to do for any party who wants to contribute to nation building.

Q: So, you are all set for a new chapter?

A: I want to change the culture of politics. I’m not interested in taking anyone down. And people are ready too. New voters are coming of the age. I’m focused on that demography. They want change and I want to be part of it.