After visiting the former President APJ Abdul Kalam’s house in th morning, the debutant politician was scheduled to have an interaction session with the fishermen community in Rameshwaram. The fishermen, who were initially pumped up, were disappointed as left the place after meeting them.

“Generally, politicians don’t listen to our grievances. We were happy when we heard Kamal would meeting before entering politics. But he left immediately, disappointing us,” said Poorani, a member of Nivedita Fishermen Trust. This gave us an impression that he is just another politician, she added.

However, there was some damage control measures as Kamal invited the fishermen representative to the press meet that took place shortly after.

Bose, Mechanised Boat Fishermen Association, Rameswaram, said that Centre had turned deaf ears towards their problems and they have high hopes on Kamal Haasan. “Kamal Haasan is like a log floating in the sea and we will utilise him to survive,” said Bose.

Similarly, Kamal Haasan disappointed the people of Paramakudi and Manamadurai too. People turned up in huge numbers at Paramakudi, the actor’s home town, but he didn’t even come out of his car.

Though his followers invited him to the stage, Kamal politely refused citing shortage of time. “Delhi CM Kejriwal has arrived and I have to receive him. But, I will come back soon,” he promised.

Though, Stalin is leading the opposition, I support his remarks that the actors are like paper flowers. Paper flowers will not blossom and they will not have any fragrance. There is no enthusiasm in the actor’s political launch. Kamal is a genetically-modified seed which is not used in India. The actor will not be useful to anyone. He is speaking in a language which people do not understand.

Kamal as a ‘bonsai plant’ which has not benefited the people for the last 50 years. His launch of a political party is like a much-hyped film release. He has hastily launched a political party only to carry the film rivalry with Rajinikanth into politics. Kamal Haasan is claiming that his party will carry forward the Dravidian ideology. When MK Stalin and other leaders are there, how can Kamal carry the Dravidian legacy forward? Stalin, who has been backing the actor since the latter was criticising the ruling party, should be careful about Kamal.

— Tamilisai Soundarrajan

Kamal Haasan had said he would go out of the country when there was opposition to him film ‘Viswaroopam’. He was not able to stand up to the opposition to the release of a film. Kamal is speaking against the AIADMK due to his animosity towards Jayalalithaa. People will ignore him, if he spoke against Jayalalithaa.

Kamal has come to bat since two major players are out. He has forgotten that many experienced players are in the ground. An actor like Sivaji Ganesan was unable to succeed in politics. Kamal’s party will one of the minor parties in Tamil Nadu. He believes opinions can be expressed in a form that cannot be understood by the people. In politics, you will have to express opinions in a transparent manner.