Kamal Haasan looked as stylish as ever at the audio launch of his upcoming and much-delayed film Indian 2. Sporting a tam hat to hide his Thug Life hairstyle, the actor took the stage at around midnight as the event was delayed by over three hours. What started as a thank-you note to all the actors in the film, two of them who are no more, turned political towards the end. Kamal left the audience with the question, “Why shouldn’t a Tamilian rule India?”
Kamal started his speech by talking about his association with Shankar revealing that the director first approached him for his debut film Gentleman. He said, “Due to creative differences, I couldn’t do that film. But I thought Shankar wouldn’t come back again for a film. Mostly a person doesn’t go back to a star after he has rejected his film. But after the success of Gentleman, he came back with the script. By then, after the success of Devar Magan, I had plans to do a film with Sivaji Sir. And the story of Indian and my project were a bit similar. So, I asked Sivaji sir what to do and he told me, ‘Dai! We both have acted as father and son already. This film will have you as both father and son. So, do it.’ He did it out of love for me and that is why I am standing in front of you here.”
Kamal Haasan then praised Subhashkaran of Lyca Productions for his boldness to produce and revive Indian 2. Kamal said, “I am sure he has only seen a few glimpses of the project, and not even the rushes. But he believed in the project. His boldness belongs to the valour of the soil he was born in.”
The actor-filmmaker later expressed his gratitude to Udhaynidhi Stalin for supporting the makers of the film, when it was in trouble due to various financial problems. “He couldn’t be here as he has been given other duties by the people. I will also be helping him out with those works in the future,” hinting at his collaboration with DMK on the political front.
Kamal then went on to thank all the actors who were part of Indian 2. He also said that Shankar needs a lot of applause for making sure that the absence of Vivekh and Nedumudi Venu is not felt in the film and made things work despite their unfortunate deaths.
Towards the end, Kamal Haasan turned all political and hit out at divisive politics. “The divide and rule policy used by the British can’t work now. The British had a place to go back when their tactics failed in the end. If the same thing is done by the people from here, they have to remember that they don’t have a place to go back to.”
“As far as my identity goes, I am a Tamilian and then an Indian. That’s your identity too. A Tamil knows when to keep calm and when not to. Earlier, at one stage, I said something and got into trouble. But I don’t worry about it now. As Indian Thatha, I have to hit on the nerve, right? So, here it is… Why shouldn’t a day come when a Tamilian will rule India? Just think about it, we made the first woman Prime Minister of India (Indira Gandhi was made PM with the support of then Congress President K Kamaraj). So, we will make this happen as well.”
