Here’s why Kamal Haasan is being criticised for Pradeep Antony’s elimination

Pradeep Antony is a Tamil actor who played the lead role in director Arun Prabhu’s films Aruvi and Vaazhl. He was also part of former Bigg Boss contestant Kavin’s hit film DaDa. Pradeep was part of Bigg Boss Tamil season 7 to make money and fame for his future projects as a filmmaker. From Day 1, Pradeep came across as a formidable contestant with an aggressive strategy. For many viewers, his behaviour came across as arrogant. On the other hand, he amassed fans for the same reason. He was also popular for his impromptu singing. He was expected to make it to the finale of Bigg Boss. In a sudden change of events, Pradeep was eliminated on November 4. He was not eliminated based on audience votes but by Red Card.

Why was Pradeep Antony eliminated?

In this season, each participant is given a red glove. It is a power to raise concerns whenever they meet Kamal Haasan on the weekends. One can raise the glove and make his/her complaint during the weekend episodes. The power is called Urimai Kural (Right to voice). On November 4, participants Maya, Poornima, Jovika, Nixen, Cool Suresh, Saravana Vickram, and Akshaya used the glove to raise a complaint against Pradeep Antony. They listed out problems such as his use of expletives, adult jokes, arrogant behaviour, and more. However, the final nail in the coffin came for Pradeep, when the ladies complained that it was not safe for women to have him inside the house. Kamal Haasan conducted a vote on whether or not to issue a Red Card to Pradeep. With the majority voting against Pradeep, he was issued the card and was evicted from the house. This left the house and the audience divided with many blaming Kamal for being unfair to Pradeep and siding with Maya and her friends, who are notoriously called ‘The Bully Gang’ by fans online.

What happened next?

Actors Vichitra and Archana (a wild card entry) were upset with the eviction of Pradeep. Later, a fight broke out between the duo and the ‘Bully Gang’. The former claimed that they evicted Pradeep unfairly and spoilt his name and life by making false allegations. This enraged Maya, Poornima, and Jovika leading to an ugly fight that left the house in disharmony.

On the other hand, Pradeep posted a series of tweets including a wish to Kamal Haasan that had a cryptic hashtag #TheeraVisaripatheMei which is a part of the Tamil proverb that translates into ‘What the eye sees and what the ear hears is a lie; The truth is to investigate!’ Later, he tweeted saying that if they allowed him to play again he would make it like a revenge drama. He also said that he would behave properly but wanted to eliminate two contestants who conspired against him.

On November 11, Kamal again met the contestants. Pradeep’s eviction was still being debated in the house. Vichitra and Archana once again expressed their opinion that Pradeep’s eviction was unfair. While wrapping up the debate, Kamal also addressed one of the many criticisms against him regarding the issue–that the Tamil star didn’t give an opportunity to Pradeep to explain himself. Kamal said, “A question has been raised that Pradeep was not allowed to explain his side. I did. Whenever he was given a chance, instead of giving reasons or repenting his mistakes, he claimed others were making bigger mistakes than him. At one instance, I worried he would dirty himself more. He said that he has been talking like this since the age of four… I was worried that he would get into bigger trouble. That’s why I told him to stop. An opportunity was given to him.” Kamal’s explanation led to divided opinion as well.

Things have moved on but…

The new promo for Monday’s episode suggests things are moving forward and the whole controversy surrounding Pradeep’s eviction is becoming a thing of the past. Pradeep too took to Twitter to tell his fans not to think too much about it. “I am jolly only. Go burst crackers if you want to and eat mutton gravy. Enjoy life. Give all your support when I make a film. Love you all.” However, the whole segment has left fans questioning the judgements of Kamal Haasan, who has maintained an image of a just host. A skeptic of the show would say it is all part of the script. Going by the increasing response to the seventh season, after two middling ones, one cannot ignore that criticism as well. But, the show goes on.