Kamal Haasan says ‘there is risk’ in making films questioning the establishment as ‘government can get angry’

Kamal Haasan said there is a great risk in making political films that question the establishment.

Kamal Haasan reprises his role as Senapathy in Indian 2.

Kamal Haasan launched the trailer of his upcoming film Indian 2 in Mumbai on Tuesday. At the trailer launch, the actor was asked by indianexpress.com about making strong political films that question the establishment given the current political scenario. He was asked that those asking questions are often labeled as ‘anti-nationals’, and how he manages to make such films in this environment.

Responding to whether it is difficult to make films that question the establishment, Kamal said, “That’s been a problem since the time of the British. People were making films even then. We will continue to make those kinds of films, it doesn’t matter who is at the top of the establishment.” He also maintained that it is the citizens’ right to question the government. “That’s not just the filmmaker, that’s the citizen’s right to ask those questions.”

Kamal, then spoke about how artistes face a risk when they make political films. “We, as artists, represent so many of you people. Thanks to the applause, we believe that we are your representatives, hence we talk boldly, without thinking of the guillotine. Yes, there is risk, the government can get angry but your applause puts out that fire, so make it louder.”

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Kamal played Senapathy in Indian where he fought against corruption, and this continues to be the central theme of Indian 2. Kamal said, “So, kya main nafrat karu, ya shukriyada? (Should I be thankful, or condemn it?) What have we done? It is us! And the politicians are none other than one of us. We are all responsible for corruption and we must all change our minds and the best time to change our minds is during elections. These are just reminders of how corrupt we become. Nothing has changed thanks to corruption, everything will change thanks to the collective conscience.”

The tagline of Indian 2 is “zero tolerance”. When asked what are the things in society that he finds difficult to tolerate, Kamal said that while he is a “fan of Gandhi,” he is against his lessons on tolerance. He said, “I am a great fan of Gandhi ji. They say he taught you tolerance, ‘what do you think about tolerance?’, I say I am not a great fan of that tolerance business. Gandhi ji is my hero but who do you tolerate, not a friend. So, I want friendship to grow in the world. What you tolerate is a headache! Anything that’s a headache for the society, you must have zero tolerance for. Find a medicine, put it out.”

Directed by Shankar, Indian 2 is scheduled to release in cinemas on July 12.

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