Kamal Haasan confronts new controversy: Tamil star stops fan from taking out sword during public event
A political meeting held by Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) in Chennai took an unexpected turn when party chief and actor Kamal Haasan sternly reprimanded a man who attempted to present him with a sword on stage. The incident, which unfolded just days after Haasan was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu, was captured on video and widely shared on social media platforms.
During the gathering, several supporters approached Haasan for photographs. One individual brought a sword, attempting to persuade the MNM leader to pose with it. At first, Haasan was seen smiling and shaking his head, holding the sword without unsheathing it. However, as the person continued to press him and tried to untie the knot securing the sword, Haasan's demeanor shifted.
He was visibly angered by the persistent request and addressed the individual and his companions sharply. A police officer quickly intervened, taking charge of the situation and ensuring the sword was set aside. Despite the tension, Haasan eventually nodded at the group to move along and managed a brief smile before resuming the event.
Public Reaction and Haasan's Principles
The video sparked conversations online, with many praising Haasan for standing by his principles. Social media users highlighted his statement to the supporter during the confrontation: 'We can keep a book and a pen in our hands, not a sword.' One commenter noted that while others may have chosen to pose with such symbols, Haasan deliberately refrained, calling him a 'good politician.'
— PTI_News (@PTI_News)
Known for his rationalist and non-violent stance, Haasan has consistently rejected the use of weapons or aggressive symbolism in public life. The sword incident briefly disrupted the proceedings but reinforced Haasan's ideological positioning within his party and among his supporters.
Haasan, along with five other candidates, was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu. The list included Poet Salma, SR Sivalingam, and P Wilson from DMK, as well as IS Inbadurai and Dhanapal from AIADMK. Certificates of election were issued by Returning Officer B Subramaniyam at the Chennai Secretariat.
'Thug Life' Controversy Escalates in Karnataka
This episode also comes amid controversy in Karnataka surrounding Haasan's recent comment on the Kannada language. During the audio launch of his film Thug Life, Haasan remarked that Kannada originated from Tamil. This sparked strong opposition in Karnataka, with cultural bodies and political groups demanding a public apology.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and the Kannada Sahitya Parishat voiced their objections, leading to a ban on the film's release in the state. The matter has reached the courts, with the Supreme Court recently seeking a response from the Karnataka government regarding threats to the film's screening. Meanwhile, Thug Life, which features Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan TR alongside Haasan, has seen mixed reviews and declining box office numbers elsewhere.
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