Latest news with #Dravidians
India Today
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
DMK casts Kamal Haasan in a Rajya Sabha MP role. Aim to undercut Vijay's political debut?
In 2018, a campaign video in which Kamal Haasan was seen smashing the TV screen with a torch went viral. That was just after the actor had stepped into politics, floating the Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM). He had made the torch his party symbol and gone around Tamil Nadu criticising every political party, including the DMK and its dynastic rule. Much water has flowed down the Cooum and the Cauvery since then, and now Kamal Haasan will be a Rajya Sabha MP, courtesy of the same DMK. Haasan has been accused of political hypocrisy, and he explained the U-turn as being driven by appreciation for some of the policies of the fact is, Kamal Haasan is an ambitious actor and filmmaker known for venturing into unexplored creative zones. But in his role as a politician, he has proved to be a more practical persona, reconciling with what he can and what he cannot. Kamal Haasan is a product of cinema and, not surprisingly, the joint political production with the DMK happened, courtesy of cinema. Haasan bankrolled his last hit, 'Vikram', in 2022 and the film was distributed by Red Giant Movies of Udhayanidhi Stalin. It started an association that finally resulted in Haasan saying 'Ek duje ke liye' to the DMK and becoming a part of the DMK-led alliance in the 2024 election. At that stage, he was given the option of either contesting the Lok Sabha elections or getting a Rajya Sabha seat a year later. Since Haasan chose the latter, the commitment is being honoured beyond being a big name in the world of cinema, unarguably one of the finest actors India has seen, what does Kamal Haasan bring to the table? In the past, the DMK's choice of names for a Rajya Sabha seat has either been staunch Dravidians, party loyalists or alliance partners. The decision to send Haasan as an Independent backed by the DMK to the House of Elders is to hit two birds with one stone. In Parliament, the DMK expects Kamal Haasan to mince no words when it comes to taking an anti-BJP stance on issues like language, culture and alleged discrimination against states in south India not ruled by the BJP. The DMK has always taken a hard position when it comes to a perceived imposition of Hindi and Haasan with his ability to communicate in different languages, including Hindi, will be able to present the DMK's is also in sync with the Dravidian ideology on most issues and therefore there aren't likely to be any fault lines emerging when he is sent to the Upper House with help from the more importantly, from a Tamil Nadu point of view, the NDA has extended an invitation to actor Vijay to join the alliance ahead of the assembly elections in 2026 and though it won't admit it, the DMK would be a trifle worried. For one, the ruling party may find itself short of starpower on the campaign trail and that is where Kamal Haasan comes in. Although the veteran actor is no longer in the same league as Vijay in terms of street popularity, especially among the youth and women, speaks with gravitas and is considered more intellectual, he is still a big name to present as a counter campaigner to party realises that if the AIADMK and BJP are able to ensure the differences at the constituency and cadre level are addressed, they would be able to give the DMK alliance a good fight. But Edappadi Palaniswami is aware of how his late leader Jayalalithaa won the 2016 battle. At that time, a Third Front called the People's Welfare Front led by the likes of Vaiko, Vijaykanth and GK Vasan contributed to the DMK defeat by splitting the anti-AIADMK votes. There is a real threat to Vijay and his TVK doing a Third Front now. Hence, the wooing of the 'Ilayathalapathy' Vijay, despite the many anti-Vijay comments made by Tamil Nadu BJP leaders in the one of the options reportedly on the table is to offer one of the two Rajya Sabha seats which the AIADMK can win in the elections in June to Vijay or one of his TVK nominees. But for someone who aims to be chief minister of the state, taking a Rajya Sabha seat would adversely affect Vijay's carefully cultivated larger-than-life image. However, if such an option is being seriously discussed by people who matter, it indicates the intense desire of the BJP to get Vijay into the NDA choice of Haasan and three others for the four Rajya Sabha seats the DMK can win has also put the spotlight on the DMK's alliance politics. MK Stalin chose not to renominate Vaiko despite the seasoned political voice he has been and known to pack a punch in his speeches in the Rajya Sabha. That makes it evident that the DMK wants Haasan to do much of the heavy lifting during the election campaign, appealing to the educated and urban constituency voter in Tamil will be music to Haasan's ears would also be the fact that he would now find himself rubbing shoulders with his favourite music composer and colleague from the Tamil film industry, Ilaiyaraaja in the Rajya Sabha. The musical genius is a nominated member of the House and, though the duo agree on most things musical, the political twain shall not meet.(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)Tune InTrending Reel
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kamal Haasan urges Keralites to learn their neighbouring state's language before Hindi: 'All of us are Dravidians, one family'
Kamal Haasan is currently busy promoting his upcoming film Thug Life, and was recently seen in Kochi, Kerala, interacting with fans and media personnel. Kamal left the audience in awe with his statement about cultural and linguistic unity in the South. 03:01 Kamal Haasan Returns He touched upon the ongoing language debates in India, urging people to prioritise learning the languages of neighbouring states before turning their attention to Hindi. 'First, you learn the language of the state next to you, then we'll talk about learning Hindi. All of us are Dravidians, one family. You can speak in Malayalam in Tamil Nadu , but if you speak for a very long time, it'll be difficult to understand. But if you speak Tamil in Kerala, people will understand it,' he said, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the audience. He acknowledged the risk involved in making such statements, particularly in public forums, but did not hold back. 'It is our responsibility to ensure that our language doesn't disappear. Do you know how much dil (courage) it takes to make such a statement in this state? All of us are Dravidians. With that pride, we offer our family Thug Life. Namaskaram,' he concluded with a smile. About Thug Life Mani Ratnam and Kamal are collaborating on 'Thug Life' after 38 years, following the success of their film 'Nayakan' in 1987. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo 'Thug Life' features an ensemble cast including Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Rohit Saraf, and Babura. The recently released trailer has created immense excitement and high expectations among both fans and critics. It will hit theaters on June 5. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Mint
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Kamal Haasan tells fans in Kerala to learn Tamil first before talking about Hindi: ‘All of us are Dravidians'
Kamal Haasan reached Kochi to promote his upcoming film, Thug Life. He was at the PVR Forum Mall where he commented on the Hindi language row. Speaking in Tamil, he urged the people of Kerala to learn the languages of their neighbouring south Indian states before Hindi. At the event, Kamal talked about Dravidian unity. He told Kerala fans, 'First, you learn the language of the state next to you, then we'll talk about learning Hindi. All of us are Dravidians, one family. You can speak in Malayalam in Tamil Nadu, but if you speak for a very long time, it'll be difficult to understand. But if you speak Tamil in Kerala, people will understand it.' Kamal Haasan went on to admit that it takes courage for someone to make a statement like his in public. 'It is our responsibility to ensure that our language doesn't disappear. Do you know how much dil (courage) it takes to make such a statement in this state? All of us are Dravidians. With that pride, we offer our family Thug Life. Namaskaram," he added. Thug Life reunites Kamal with filmmaker Mani Ratnam after almost four decades. He last worked together in the 1987 film Nayagan. The script is co-written by Kamal and Mani, while directed by the latter. Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Rohit Saraf and Babura are also a part of the film. Thug Life is backed by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies and Red Giant Movies. It explores the story of a man who raises a young boy as his own but gets backstabbed by him later in life. Thug Life will see an extended gap of 8 weeks between its theatrical and OTT release. Talking about this new approach, Kamal told the media that it was a pragmatic thing to do. Hoping his approach will inspire others, he confirmed that Thug Life will make its OTT debut on Netflix India. He said, "It is not even an experiment, it's a pragmatic thing to do. I'm glad that the OTT (Netflix) agreed. It's a plan that maybe others could follow. 'It will make the industry healthy and we are glad that we were the first to be there to avail of that opportunity.' Usually, films follow a four-week window gap between its theatrical and digital release.
Mint
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Kamal Haasan tells Kerala people to learn Tamil first before talking about Hindi: ‘All of us are Dravidians'
Kamal Haasan reached Kochi to promote his upcoming film, Thug Life. He was at the PVR Forum Mall where he commented on the Hindi language row. Speaking in Tamil, he urged the people of Kerala to learn the languages of their neighbouring south Indian states before Hindi. At the event, Kamal talked about Dravidian unity. He told Kerala fans, 'First, you learn the language of the state next to you, then we'll talk about learning Hindi. All of us are Dravidians, one family. You can speak in Malayalam in Tamil Nadu, but if you speak for a very long time, it'll be difficult to understand. But if you speak Tamil in Kerala, people will understand it.' Kamal Haasan went on to admit that it takes courage for someone to make a statement like his in public. 'It is our responsibility to ensure that our language doesn't disappear. Do you know how much dil (courage) it takes to make such a statement in this state? All of us are Dravidians. With that pride, we offer our family Thug Life. Namaskaram," he added. Thug Life reunites Kamal with filmmaker Mani Ratnam after almost four decades. He last worked together in the 1987 film Nayagan. The script is co-written by Kamal and Mani, while directed by the latter. Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Rohit Saraf and Babura are also a part of the film. Thug Life is backed by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies and Red Giant Movies. It explores the story of a man who raises a young boy as his own but gets backstabbed by him later in life. Thug Life will see an extended gap of 8 weeks between its theatrical and OTT release. Talking about this new approach, Kamal told the media that it was a pragmatic thing to do. Hoping his approach will inspire others, he confirmed that Thug Life will make its OTT debut on Netflix India. He said, "It is not even an experiment, it's a pragmatic thing to do. I'm glad that the OTT (Netflix) agreed. It's a plan that maybe others could follow. 'It will make the industry healthy and we are glad that we were the first to be there to avail of that opportunity.' Usually, films follow a four-week window gap between its theatrical and digital release. Meanwhile, Thug Life will release on June 5.
