Mumbai: Kamal Haasan condemned politics over religion while addressing a press conference in Mumbai prior to the release of his film Vishwaroopam in the city. “We have played enough with religion. India used to be such a big country, now we have divided it into Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Let’s stop these games now, we have lost enough already,” said a visibly disturbed Haasan.
A still from Vishwaroopam.
He added that no rational, educated Muslim would have a problem with the film and hinted at a ‘nameless, faceless’ force which has probably instigated a section of Muslim community to protest against the film. However, he quickly clarified that he was thankful to Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa for coming out and explaining her stand on the issue.
He also clarified during the press conference that he had not threatened to leave the country, he was hurt. “I was angry and very hurt. Next day, some papers said that I was sorry and had taken back the statement. This fame, this adulation is very blinding, who wants to leave all this? But if something like this happens again, I might think of leaving the country,” he said.
Right then a reporter, asked rather seriously, if he has shortlisted places. To which, after very long, Haasan went back to his usual humorous self and said, “Now will you ask for a new visiting card also?”
Haasan added that he has lost anything between Rs 30-60 crore till now due the ban.
“People who are alleging that I have done all this to gain cheap publicity should spare a thought over the fact that India didn’t get good publicity from all that happened. I am overwhelmed by the support my Muslim brothers have shown me. The ones who have gotten by the film banned must have been pushed to anger by some misinformation,” said Haasan.
Prior to that Haasan thanked the media and the film fraternity profusely for having come out in support of him in full force. He said that the only way to thank the film fraternity would be by hoping and praying that no one else has to face what he had to.
“It was gruelling, troublesome, insulting. Not only to me but to the entire nation. And I hate to be the little clock that gave this wake-up alarm. We should have taken measures by ourselves long back. I want to tell the country that do not disrespect your artistes. Because, it s cultural representatives like us and not politicians who people over the world, look at for knowledge and understanding about a country,” he said.
Haasan said that it was only Muslims who he had run into trouble with. Hindus and Christians too had problems with some of his films, he said. “I am being targeted in my home state. It is dreadful. But I have had problems with other communities too. People should think rationally. I am rationalist,” he said.
