Kamal Hassan to tour TN to feel its pulse

Actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan who turned 63 on Tuesday announced that he will tour Tamil Nadu to understand the problems that people face, before officially launching his party. He also said that he did not intend to hurt the Hindus and his remark on extremism was misinterpreted as Hindu terrorism by the media.

"I intend to travel across the state and find out what problems people have. I also need to find myself. The dates will be announced later," Kamal Haasan said announcing the launch of his app "Maiam Whistle" (Maiam in Tamil means centre), a digital platform where people will be able to complain and interact with him. He said he will go around the state as "citizen K".

"I am already here," Haasan said when asked when he will make a debut in politics. He said he was "working on the structural part" of his new outfit.

"People say I am going to launch a political party. I am waiting because I need a strong foundation. I am discussing with experts...I have started preliminary work. Don't ask me when I will launch it and what will be its name. It is like asking a pregnant lady what is the name of the baby. It's not the time for me to talk about this now," the veteran actor said, noting that he would normally take six months to even to prepare for a film.

Explaining why he was not in a position to give details of his political plans, Haasan said he was looking at larger goals and a longer time. "My dream is to create a good Tamil Nadu. You have to give me time to come up with a manifesto, a name. I am working on the structural part of it. I am in no hurry, there is no need to hurry, I need your support," he said.

Asked about the perceptions that he was anti-Hindu, Kamal said that he was only talking about Hindu extremism and not Hindu terrorism. "I am not starting a party to hurt Hindus. I come from a Hindu family and I do not want to lose the affection of my family first. But when there are mistakes, I will speak about it.

"I am only talking reality when I speak of violence. All Hindus should understand and discuss. Nobody should indulge in such violence. It applies to Hindus and Muslims. When I say extreme, it doesn't mean terror. But there is violence and no one can deny it," he said.

When asked about Hindutva elements attacking him, Kamal said: "I only spoke the truth. If punishment is meted out for that, I am ready to accept it." He was apparently referring to threats to his life from some Hindutva organisations after his recent statement slamming Hindu extremism.

The actor's announcement for his impending party launch has evoked strong response from the ruling AIADMK, with which he had several run-ins in the recent past. Senior AIAMDK leader and Minister D Jayakumar said that his party would not be affected by Kamal's proposed party. "AIADMK is like a Himalayan mountain. We will not be frightened by small hills," he said, adding that AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran and former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa still lived in the hearts of people.

Talking about the app, he said the name was derived from the Ashoka Chakra which is a virtuous cycle that has become a vicious circle. He wanted people to be whistleblowers. "Tomorrow, I may also get some political responsibility and the whistle should be blown against me too if I do something wrong," he asserted.

Asked how he would keep away tainted people and money from his organisation, Kamal said that he has taken a conscious decision of not admitting anyone with the record of taint in his organisation. He added that even in his film career, there has been no black money.