Kamal Haasan shakes Tamil Nadu’s political ground — and this time, it’s personal. At the Manorama Hortus event, the veteran actor, filmmaker, and founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) made two revealing political declarations. One hinted vaguely at his party’s ideological stance, while the other struck like thunder — Kamal Haasan openly named his greatest political enemy.
“It’s casteism,” he declared, his tone resolute. That single statement electrified the room. It’s a subject most major Tamil Nadu parties — DMK and AIADMK alike — tread around carefully, wary of alienating certain vote banks. But Haasan went where few dare. Sharing the stage with actor Manju Warrier, during a conversation titled ‘Sagara Sangamam’ moderated by Manorama News editor Johny Lukose, the seasoned actor didn’t hold back.
When pressed by Lukose to define his party’s main rival — much like actor Vijay, whose TVK (Tamizhaka Vetri Kazhagam) has positioned itself against the DMK — Haasan’s response was strikingly unexpected. “I can identify mine too,” he said with a half-smile. “But my enemy is larger than what most parties would ever name. My battle is against casteism itself — and I will go in for the kill.” The use of the word “kill” silenced the room for a moment. Then he clarified, “I used that word intentionally. Casteism has been violent, deeply painful, and persistent. It must be eliminated decisively and quickly. That’s my chosen enemy — and it’s a big one. My fight is massive, but so is yours.”
The applause that followed was thunderous. Haasan, smiling wryly, told the audience, “Applause alone won’t do. This isn’t a war one man can fight — it needs collective strength.”
Then came his second statement — more philosophical, but strangely ambiguous. Speaking of where he stood ideologically, Haasan declared, “Mine is the only centrist party in the whole of Asia.” To explain, he used a metaphor: “Just as I have two hands — one left and one right — there are two schools of thought. I use both. Yet when I greet someone, I bring both hands together — that’s because I am a centrist.”
It was an intriguing stance, especially coming from a man whose films such as Anbe Sivam and several public remarks have often leaned toward the Left. “I have a favorite hand,” he admitted, “but I’ll keep it to myself.” Then, cryptically, he added, “If I lean, it’s only when necessary — not to bow or kneel. Sometimes, to pick up something valuable, one must lean.” That line drew murmurs — could he be hinting at openness toward the Right as well? The remark left the audience guessing.
Haasan expanded further. “I didn’t invent centrism; I discovered it. My heroes were always those who had inner balance, who stood firm between extremes. That’s where I see myself too.”
The actor-politician also addressed his contemporary and friend, Vijay. “My ‘brother’ doesn’t need my advice,” Haasan said. “If I were wise enough to advise him, would I still be visiting leaders like Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan or Odisha’s Patnaikji for guidance? I believe experience is the best teacher. It’s more impartial than any of us.”
The conversation took a lighter turn when Manju Warrier confessed she wasn’t ready for politics, despite several parties having approached her. “Politics needs knowledge,” she said. Haasan playfully interrupted: “Do you really think so?” The audience burst into laughter. When she insisted she wasn’t suited for it, Haasan gave her gentle but firm advice: “You have every right to keep your political beliefs private. But when election day comes, you must show up at the booth. That’s where politics truly begins — even if the place feels unclean, your vote matters.”
Then came his call for gender equality in governance. “We produce iron ladies in this country,” he said proudly. “Just 300 kilometers from here lived J. Jayalalithaa — a powerhouse of a leader. We need more such women in politics. Equity shouldn’t just be a word; it must be visible and tangible.”
When the moderator implied that actresses of older generations might have been weaker, Haasan’s tone sharpened. “That’s untrue,” he cut in. “I’ve met actresses more capable than their own directors. Take Savitri — she had the talent to direct a film herself. Playing a naive character was just one of her countless roles — she was no fool.”
Kamal Haasan’s words have sparked a whirlwind of reactions. Declaring casteism as his “political enemy” challenges the silence of Tamil Nadu’s entrenched power blocs. But will this bold positioning win him allies or isolate him further? And is his claim of leading Asia’s only “centrist” party pragmatic politics or philosophical idealism? What do you think — is centrism the future of Tamil Nadu’s politics, or is Haasan fighting a lonely battle against a deeply rooted foe?
