Kamal Haasan sidesteps the lotus, takes a left turn to Kerala

As the reports raised quite a number of eyebrows, the Kerala CM said it was merely a friendly meeting. Photo: CM's Facebook page.

Thiruvananthapuram: Amid indications of his political plunge, Tamil actor Kamal Haasan on Friday met Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan here and discussed the political situation in neigboring Tamil Nadu.

He met Pinarayi at the latter's official residence 'Cliff House' here. Haasan was treated to a feast arranged as part of the Onam festival celebrations.

Asked about the Tamil Nadu politics, the actor said the governor should intervene in the present situation.

"I do not like to see this drama (going in Tamil Nadu). I am not anyone to call for a floor test or speak to the governor, but I am using this podium to call for it," he said.

When asked about his political affiliation, the 62-year-old actor said he had been in the film industry for 40 years, but "I can tell you one thing, my color is definitely not saffron".

I see it as an opportunity to learn from the experiences of Pinarayi Vijayan: Kamal Haasan said after the meeting at the Cliff House.

Haasan said he had come to Kerala for a personal visit.

"Most of the leftist are my heroes. I want to be in the middle of things and not take sides," he said.

"Look at the statistics of Kerala, you are pushing it to the standards of western countries. Mine is not blind admiration, it is sensible - about why choosing Pinarayi Vijayan," he remarked.

Talking about the meeting on his Facebook post, Pinarayi said he shared a healthy friendship with the actor.

"Whenever he visits Kerala, he used to meet me. However, this is the first meeting after I assumed the office of chief minister," he said.

Though it was a courtesy meeting, politics of south India, especially the situation in Tamil Nadu, also came up for discussion, he added.

Talking to reporters before leaving to meet the Kerala chief minister, the actor said his visit was "a political education tour."

"Definitely, as far as I am concerned, this is an education tour to me," he said.

"Actually I was supposed to come to Kerala last year itself. But I could not make it as I met with an accident," Haasan said.

The actor had congratulated the CPM-led LDF government headed by Pinarayi for providing "good governance" when it completed one-year in office in May this year.

Haasan had been vocal against the Tamil Nadu government on the issue of corruption, thus incurring the wrath of several state ministers, who have accused the actor of speaking in general terms and dared him to provide evidence of his charges.

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