Kamal Haasan continues to play the will-he-won’t-he game and it reached a zenith when it was confirmed that Delhi Chief Minister and national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal will be paying him a visit. Given the rate at which the 62-year-old actor has been vociferously criticising the state government, leading many to conjecture that he might make his political entry soon, a lot was pegged on this visit.
With several media persons stationed outside his residence on Eldams Road, waiting for a promised press conference, the only question hanging in the air was — will there be an official announcement from Haasan about his political debut?
With Haasan’s younger daughter, Akshara, personally receiving Kejriwal at the airport, social media was abuzz of what might be in store. What was evident was that Haasan is enjoying this cat and mouse game. Arriving close to 2 pm at Haasan’s residence, rumours of a possible close-door meeting swirled.
Meanwhile, several AAP supporters positioned themselves outside the gates. Most were of the opinion that Haasan joining politics, perhaps even AAP, would be a good move.
Forty minutes later, the media persons were allowed to gather inside the threshold of Haasan’s office – a place that has hosted several press conferences right from the fight for Jallikattu to the release of Vishwaroopam.
Cameras were set up, notepads were ready, and a lot of stress writ large on Haasan’s security team. The feverish excitement among the media persons insinuated the next breaking news of the day.
Soon enough, the voices died down as Haasan and Kejriwal made their entry – Kejriwal seated on the left and Haasan on the right, with a bouquet of flowers in front of them, the same one from pictures that had been doing the rounds on social media a few minutes before their entry.
Haasan greeted everybody in Tamil, switching to English:
“I am honoured that the Chief Minister of Delhi decided to visit my abode. This house has been political since my father’s times, and I was the one who got into it late. We got together for a purpose. The purpose is singular and it will always be that of fighting against corruption and communalism. He has a national purpose for fighting against communalism and corruption. It is no wonder that we decided to have a dialogue on the existing situation. It is more of a learning curve than whatever purpose he came to visit me for,” he said.
Kejirwal spoke next:
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“As an individual, Kamal Haasan ji enjoys a reputation of integrity and courage. It is important at this point of time, when the country is facing strong forces of corruption and communalism all across, that all like-minded people should talk to each other on these issues and should try to work in tandem with each other. Was very happy when I learnt that a large number of people who are honest feel very strongly against the communal forces which are going against the country. But they are rare people who have the courage to stick their neck out. And Kamal Haasan ji happens to be one of them who stuck his neck out and decided that rather than to curse from outside, he should enter into politics. And we had a very good meeting, we exchanged our ideas and that was the purpose I came down. And we will also continue to discuss and meet each other in future also. And I thank him for the warm hospitality.”
The brief press conference left everybody with more questions – “Is it official now… or?”