Kamal Haasan says he will quit acting if it becomes a hurdle for his political journey

COIMBATORE: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Sunday said he would quit acting if it becomes a hurdle for his political journey.
Speaking to reporters at a private hotel in Coimbatore, the Makkal Needhi Maiam leader said, “Cinema is my profession and as far as I can, I want to earn money because I don’t want to be dependent on others. So, I will continue acting. But if it becomes a hurdle for my political journey, then I will quit it.”
Expressing regret over entering politics very late, Kamal said he had decided to spend the rest of his life for the public.
Kamal, who is contesting from Coimbatore South constituency in the April 6 Tamil Nadu assembly election, said he would continue working on the movies that he had already agreed to act and the decision regarding signing further movies would be taken later.
Reacting to criticisms relating to his profession, Kamal said, “MGR had acted in several movies even after getting elected as an MLA because he wanted money for his political career. Even I am in need of money. That’s why I am acting after getting a huge salary. If possible, I will increase my salary in the future and spend it for the public.”
Explaining that he had been spending only his hard-earned money for the campaigns, Kamal said some of the election officials had appreciated him for his honesty. He said he would follow the same even after being elected to power.
Kamal said he had received threats. However, he refused to elaborate on the nature of threats he had received. “It would be wrong to say such things without proper proof,” he added. He said nothing could stop him.
Replying to remarks that he would leave his constituency after election, Kamal said that his address would be changed to Coimbatore soon and he was looking for a place. “I will not disappear as my fellow contestants claim. Public will decide who will disappear,” he added.
Earlier, Kamal’s daughter Akshara Haasan and niece Suhasini Mani Ratnam campaigned in support of him at Amman Kulam and in Ma Na Ka Street in the city. They danced with the residents. Suhasini said she started campaigning for the MNM not because Kamal is her uncle but because she liked the party manifesto.