Chennai: Actor Kamal Haasan on Tuesday launched a mobile app to provide a whistleblowing platform for those who intend to expose corruption. Named ‘maiyam whistle’, the app would apply ‘continuous pressure’ on those in power, the actor said. The time has come to say what is wrong with the government, and “vociferously,” he said. “You can blow the whistle against me too in the future, if I make a mistake. You can correct me through this whistle,” he said.
At a press conference, the actor also sought to end speculation about his entry into politics, saying he was already “here.” “People say I am going to launch a political party. I am waiting because I need to lay a strong foundation. I am discussing with experts…Don’t ask me when I will deliver. Work has begun for my entry into politics. It’s not time for me to talk about this now,” he said.
The actor explained that he needs time to work on his manifesto and policy, and that he had films to complete. “I will tell you all in detail. I am in no hurry. I have waited many years for change,” he said. When asked whether he would contest local body bolls, he said he was looking at a longer time-frame.
Kamal Haasan said he would tour Tamil Nadu with his fans to better understand the needs of his fellow citizens.
Kamal Haasan said he never mentioned the term “Hindu terror” in the magazine column which sparked a political controversy last week. But the actor said that he had only “mentioned extremism.” “There is violence in religion. It can be Hinduism. We cannot deny the extremism. If they want to kill me for this I am ready to take the bullet. But it should be the last life lost in this.” He said he was neither a “believer,” nor an “atheist.”
“I come from a Hindu background. My family are Hindus. But I have come out of that in search of truth. My non-religious identity, I don’t want to glorify or ridicule it.”
