Unlike many Kollywood stars, Kamal Haasan has often given vent to his feelings off screen also. This time, Kamal has tread a path that has been hitherto left untouched by top stars of the Tamil film fraternity, which has close ties with the political class.
Kamal's open declaration of his moral outrage in the way the AIADMK has anointed Sasikala bypassing a chief minister is not without merit.
But it needs to be noted that any legislature party is entitled to appoint a non-legislator as its legislature party leader under the constitutional framework.
Merits and demerits notwithstanding, Kamal has propped up a vital question, which should ideally find resonance in Kollywood.
Meek acceptance of the political class is at the core of what Kamal is questioning. That is the insult Kamal is talking about. He strikes a moral high ground when he openly states that he is no fan of chief minister Paneerselvam either.
There have been previous instances when superstar Rajinikanth had made known his political stands as well as displeasure, including one much touted tiff with none other than late Jayalalithaa.
But after betting his money on NDA gaining power publicly and ending up on the wrong side when the first UPA regime was voted to power, Rajini has been mum on key issues.
Kamal's point is that the meek acceptance of political agenda, fearing vindictive action, should stop. This can end the brazen use of political machinery to further clannish interests.
Such voices should naturally come first from Kollywood. In other words, closet superstars toeing a culture of paying obeisance to powers that be should speak up.
There have been some outbursts from Kollywood, but that ain't enough.
And it is perfectly all right if there are dissenting voices against the one articulated by Kamal.
Only that it is high time the Kollywood stars woke up from calibrated slumber and selective amnesia.
(The views expressed are personal)
