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Progress of nation more important than debates: Kamal Haasan
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Sugandha Rawal | 18 Oct, 2018
Not religion, not culture, progress is what matters, says cine icon
Kamal Haasan, who has embarked on a journey in politics. He says people
in India are busy debating trivial issues whereas the need of the hour
is to rise above them.
Haasan has always been vocal about the
need to steer away from the politics of caste and religion. So, how
important is it to address the real issues?
"It is very
important. We have lost that dialogue. We are talking about everything
else... We are trying to prove a point which does not exist. We are
debating things that don't matter at all," Haasan told IANS in an
exclusive interview here while opening up about his decision to enter
politics, his aspirations, his vision for the country and about
contesting the Lok Sabha elections.
"Yes, keep your religion,
keep your culture, but progress as a nation is much more important than
these debates. We are giving knee-jerk reactions to things which are not
useful in everyday life or for the future generation. We (his party)
are making that the focal point and that is what you have to talk about.
The younger India is ready to talk about such issues," he added.
The
63-year-old actor took the political plunge by launching his Makkal
Needhi Maiam party on February 21 in Madurai. In just 48 hours, 201,597
people registered to join the Tamil film icon's party.
Change can only come with unity, feels Haasan.
"Progress
can't be just my vision. It has to be a collective vision. You can take
the example of China. Almost 30 years back, China had all the problems
that we have, even much worse. And they changed it with will. But then
you say it was only dictatorship that responsible for it. I beg to
disagree.
"America was not a dictatorship. There were many voices pulling in all directions, and still progress happened."
The
actor, who entered the film industry when he was just three, continued:
"(Things change) when people take the onus of building the nation, not
just a few contracted people designated by the larger crowd, who are
themselves busy going about their everyday chores or trying to reach
office on time. They have to spend some time to build the nation."
Citing
an example from India's long fight for freedom, the actor said: "In the
1940s, people were not 'bekaar' (useless). They had their jobs, they
had their professions, they had to earn their everyday bread, but they
still had time for freedom. Now, the second freedom struggle has
started."
Is he planning to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections?
"Well,
anything which is good for Tamil Nadu is the way I see (things).
Whichever direction it takes me... I will go and seek the opportunity
and seize the day," he said without dismissing the possibility
completely.
The charismatic Tamil cine hero has done over 200
films in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam. He is known for projects
like "Appu Raja", "Hey Ram", "Dashavatar", "Ek Duuje Ke Liye", "Sagara
Sangamam", "Sadma", "Thevar Magan", "Chachi 420" and "Vishwaroopam" and
"Vishwaroop 2".
The Hindi version of "Vishwaroop 2", presented by
Rohit Shetty and the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Entertainment, released
in August.
After spending so many years in the industry, Haasan
avers he will be quitting acting for politics. Asked whether he is
planning to manage both, he said: "I shouldn't do both the things."
"My
advice to the actor (in me) is to step aside because there is much more
work to do. I loved the actor. I have lived with him for 58 years, but I
have to move to people and that is more important."
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