Latest update, 9.35 am: Actor Kamal Haasan addressed fishermen at Ganesh Mahal in Rameswaram. He said that fishing is one of the most important livelihoods in Tamil Nadu.
Far from the sphere of the reel, actor Kamal Haasan will take his plunge into the real world of politics on Wednesday by addressing a string of meetings and unveiling his party flag in Madurai, marking the commencement of his new journey.
The actor-turned-politician will address his first public meeting in the afternoon at Ramanathapuram near the iconic palace entrance. He will later leave for nearby Paramakudi and then
Manamadurai and address meetings there before reaching Madurai in the evening. He is also set to spell out the name of his party.
File image of actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan. PTI
In keeping with his announcement last month, Haasan will first visit the residence of former president APJ Abdul Kalam at Rameswaram on Wednesday and then the school where the late leader studied. Also, he would pay a visit to the memorial of Kalam at Pei Karumbu off Rameswaram apart from interacting with the fishermen community at Ganesh Mahal in Rameswaram.
Announcing his political tour in his weekly column in Tamil weekly Ananda Vikatan on 18 January, the actor had said he too shared the vision of Kalam, who dreamt of a "good Tamil Nadu."
By launching his tour from the residence of Kalam, he would be moving forward towards that goal, he said, writing in his weekly column.
On Wednesday, actor Seeman, who strongly opposes Rajinikanth on the basis of his non-Tamil origin, met Kamal at his home in Chennai. He told reporters that Kamal had expressed a wish to meet him but he felt that he should come to his residence because he was elder to him. Seeman also recalled that he also hailed from Ramanathapuram district.
Meanwhile, in a letter to party cadre, Stalin wrote: "The DMK is like a banyan tree which has strong roots and branches. It cannot be shaken by anyone. Parties may come during a season but they are just like paper flowers which don't have flagrance. They will wither soon."
Kamal called on DMK president M Karunanidhi at his Gopalapuram residence to seek his blessings. Stalin was also present then.
With inputs from agencies
Published Date: Feb 21, 2018 09:35 AM | Updated Date: Feb 21, 2018 09:53 AM
Highlights
'Will support fishermen community'
"I will be there, will support the community. There is a need to re-discuss international treaties. Your questions cannot be answered with violence," says Kamal Haasan as he addresses fishermen in Rameswaram.
Kamal Haasan addresses fishermen in Rameswaram
Speaking to fishermen, Kamal Haasan said, "Fishing is one of the most important livelihood options in Tamil Nadu, That's why I have come to visit you. I want to understand your issues and take it forward."
Greatness can come from simplicity, tweets Kamal Haasan
Tamil Nadu education department's decision to deny Haasan permission to visit Kalam's school is right
Haasan spoke about development politics, says Sheikh Dawood, APJ Abdul Kalam's grandson
Speaking to the media, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's grandson, Sheikh Dawood said during his visit to the former president of India's house in Rameswaram, actor Kamal Haasan said he shared Kalam's vision. "He said he shares Kalam's vision to talk about development politics
Haasan meets with APJ Abdul Kalam's family
Earlier on Tuesday, the actor briefly interacted with Kalam's nonagenarian brother Mohammed Muthumeera Lebbai Maraikkayar while being flanked by other close relatives of the former president in Rameswaram.
'Kamal is Kalam': Posters across Madurai project Haasan as the next APJ Abdul Kalam
Posters plastered across the streets of Madurai and Rameswaram show actor Kamal Haasan emulating iconic leaders including former president of India APJ Abdul Kalam.
He is shown next to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and other iconic leaders including rationalist leader Periyar and BR Ambedkar, reported NDTV. The report further states Haasan is shown as the second Kalam in some posters.
Kamal Haasan to meet fishermen at Ganesh Mahal in Rameswaram
'Greatness can come from simplest of houses, and this is one of them': Kamal Haasan after visiting Kalam's house
Arvind Kejriwal to attend Kamal Haasan's party launch in Madurai
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will be attending actor Kamal Haasan's party launch in Madurai, reported The Hindu.
Kejriwal had earlier met Haasan in September 2017 when the actor was hinting at pursuing a political career.
Kamal Haasan is trying to convey he will emulate APJ Abdul Kalam
Before he announces his political party and articulates its ideology, Kamal will head east to Rameswaram, the birthplace of the former President of India. This is also where Kalam was laid to rest. What connects Kalam and Kamal is that the actor grew up in neighbouring Paramkudi in Ramanathapuram district while Kalam did his schooling in Ramanathapuram town. Apart from the similar-sounding names, Kamal Haasan wants to convey that his ideas for the nation and Tamil Nadu are from Kalam's school of thought. The posters brag that the dreams and aspirations of Kalam will be fulfilled by Kamal. His supporters expect Kamal to come up with a Kalamism, when he addresses the gathering on Wednesday evening.
Read full article here
Kamal Haasan’s schedule for today:
· 7:45 am: Arrive at APJ Abdul Kalam's house
· 8:15 am: Arrive at APJ Abdul Kalam's school
· 8:50 am: Arrive at Ganesh Mahal to meet the fishermen
· 11:10 am: Arrive at APJ Kalam’s memorial
· 11:20 am: Leave for APJ Kalam’s memorial towards Madurai
· 12:30 pm: Public meeting at Ramanathapuram palace
· 2:30 pm: Paramakudi Public meeting
· 3 pm: Manamadurai public meeting
· 5 pm: Arrive at Othakadai ground in Madurai
· 6 pm: Political party flag hoisting
· 6:30 pm: Public meeting
· 8:10 pm to 9 pm: Nammavar’s speech
Tamil Nadu govt denied permission to Kamal Haasan to visit APJ Abdul Kalam's school
Kamal Haasan leaves after visiting APJ Abdul Kalam's house in Rameswaram
Kamal Haasan's visit to school where APJ Abdul Kalam studied, cancelled
Kamal Haasan visits APJ Abdul Kalam's house in Rameswaram
Kamal Haasan to launch his political party today
The actor-turned-politician will address his first public meeting in the afternoon at Ramanathapuram near the iconic palace entrance. He will later leave for nearby Paramakudi and then, Manamadurai and address meetings there before reaching Madurai in the evening. He is also set to spell out the name of his party.
09:53 (IST)
'Will support fishermen community'
"I will be there, will support the community. There is a need to re-discuss international treaties. Your questions cannot be answered with violence," says Kamal Haasan as he addresses fishermen in Rameswaram.
09:50 (IST)
Recap: Haasan confident his brand of Dravidian politics will succeed
"You will know when I make it a success," he said, when asked about the presence of Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu and how he could succeed with the same ideology.
The actor has time and again expressed his appreciation of the Dravidian ideology. Last month, he had batted for unity among Southern states under the 'Dravidian' tag to leverage ties with the Centre. "It (Dravidian) is our identity, and it will give the southern states a leverage with the Centre," the actor had said.
Read more here
09:31 (IST)
Kamal Haasan addresses fishermen in Rameswaram
Speaking to fishermen, Kamal Haasan said, "Fishing is one of the most important livelihood options in Tamil Nadu, That's why I have come to visit you. I want to understand your issues and take it forward."
09:20 (IST)
Greatness can come from simplicity, tweets Kamal Haasan
09:19 (IST)
Tamil Nadu education department's decision to deny Haasan permission to visit Kalam's school is right
09:17 (IST)
Haasan spoke about development politics, says Sheikh Dawood, APJ Abdul Kalam's grandson
Speaking to the media, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's grandson, Sheikh Dawood said during his visit to the former president of India's house in Rameswaram, actor Kamal Haasan said he shared Kalam's vision. "He said he shares Kalam's vision to talk about development politics
09:10 (IST)
Haasan meets with APJ Abdul Kalam's family
Earlier on Tuesday, the actor briefly interacted with Kalam's nonagenarian brother Mohammed Muthumeera Lebbai Maraikkayar while being flanked by other close relatives of the former president in Rameswaram.
09:08 (IST)
'Kamal is Kalam': Posters across Madurai project Haasan as the next APJ Abdul Kalam
Posters plastered across the streets of Madurai and Rameswaram show actor Kamal Haasan emulating iconic leaders including former president of India APJ Abdul Kalam.
He is shown next to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and other iconic leaders including rationalist leader Periyar and BR Ambedkar, reported NDTV. The report further states Haasan is shown as the second Kalam in some posters.
09:02 (IST)
Kamal Haasan to meet fishermen at Ganesh Mahal in Rameswaram
08:52 (IST)
'Greatness can come from simplest of houses, and this is one of them': Kamal Haasan after visiting Kalam's house
08:49 (IST)
Arvind Kejriwal to attend Kamal Haasan's party launch in Madurai
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will be attending actor Kamal Haasan's party launch in Madurai, reported The Hindu.
Kejriwal had earlier met Haasan in September 2017 when the actor was hinting at pursuing a political career.
08:42 (IST)
Recap: MK Stalin takes dig at Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, likens them to "glamorous paper flowers"
Taking a veiled dig once again at top actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan for their political ambitions, DMK working president MK Stalin likened them to 'glamorous paper flowers' which do not spread fragrance.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, in a letter to party cadres said though "such flowers may bloom, they do not spread fragrance," which is seen as an indication that the duo could not succeed and shine in politics though they could enter the fray.
Read more here
08:38 (IST)
Visuals of Haasan visiting APJ Abdul Kalam's house
08:37 (IST)
Kamal Haasan is trying to convey he will emulate APJ Abdul Kalam
Before he announces his political party and articulates its ideology, Kamal will head east to Rameswaram, the birthplace of the former President of India. This is also where Kalam was laid to rest. What connects Kalam and Kamal is that the actor grew up in neighbouring Paramkudi in Ramanathapuram district while Kalam did his schooling in Ramanathapuram town. Apart from the similar-sounding names, Kamal Haasan wants to convey that his ideas for the nation and Tamil Nadu are from Kalam's school of thought. The posters brag that the dreams and aspirations of Kalam will be fulfilled by Kamal. His supporters expect Kamal to come up with a Kalamism, when he addresses the gathering on Wednesday evening.
Read full article here
08:29 (IST)
Kamal Haasan’s schedule for today:
· 7:45 am: Arrive at APJ Abdul Kalam's house
· 8:15 am: Arrive at APJ Abdul Kalam's school
· 8:50 am: Arrive at Ganesh Mahal to meet the fishermen
· 11:10 am: Arrive at APJ Kalam’s memorial
· 11:20 am: Leave for APJ Kalam’s memorial towards Madurai
· 12:30 pm: Public meeting at Ramanathapuram palace
· 2:30 pm: Paramakudi Public meeting
· 3 pm: Manamadurai public meeting
· 5 pm: Arrive at Othakadai ground in Madurai
· 6 pm: Political party flag hoisting
· 6:30 pm: Public meeting
· 8:10 pm to 9 pm: Nammavar’s speech
08:27 (IST)
Tamil Nadu govt denied permission to Kamal Haasan to visit APJ Abdul Kalam's school
08:23 (IST)
Kamal Haasan leaves after visiting APJ Abdul Kalam's house in Rameswaram
08:22 (IST)
Posters of Kamal Haasan's face photoshopped as iconic leaders APJ Abdul Kalam, BR Ambedkar
According to NDTV, several posters could be seen with actor Kamal Haasan projected as leaders such as APJ Abdul Kalam and BR Ambedkar.
08:11 (IST)
Kamal Haasan's visit to school where APJ Abdul Kalam studied, cancelled
08:09 (IST)
Kamal Haasan visits APJ Abdul Kalam's house in Rameswaram
08:09 (IST)
Kamal Haasan to launch his political party today
The actor-turned-politician will address his first public meeting in the afternoon at Ramanathapuram near the iconic palace entrance. He will later leave for nearby Paramakudi and then, Manamadurai and address meetings there before reaching Madurai in the evening. He is also set to spell out the name of his party.