The actor said that the rest of his life is dedicated to politics.
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan tells Arun Ram he's in for the long haul and these polls are only a foundation for the assembly elections.
How difficult was your plunge into politics? It wasn't difficult. Cinema work is much more difficult... the sun, the travel, grappling with the villain, dancing with the heroine. Here, it's a silent grappling with villains. Any strain was compensated by the love I got from people.
Was it a litmus test for your future? My litmus test was done the moment I moved from Twitter to politics.
What's your assessment of your party prospects? The groundswell has far exceeded our expectations. Analysts said if we get anything over 5 per cent, we are in the game. But I am not a man who settles for what's given. I want to push the envelope, but without money in it. I pushed it and now I think we will clear the 10 per cent mark.
Makkal Needhi Maiam President Kamal Haasan during the last day of election campaign in Chennai. 10 per cent doesn't make you a winner, but it makes you hot property for assembly polls. Are you open to alliances? It depends on who we go with. I respect the communists, but they never made the right choices in Tamil Nadu. They should've been with me. That's the only alliance I seriously wanted. As for DMK and AIADMK... people say there are no untouchables in politics, but we are not talking about human qualities here. So, we don't have to give them that human consideration. I will keep away from them.
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Before coming to politics, you've shared the dais with Stalin. How's your relationship with him now? I am not as close to him as I was with his father. So, it's not that I've lost a friend. I've met him far fewer times than I've met his father. Election campaign is a costly proposition. How did you manage to take on two mighty parties? We did not run a circus like they did. We were a small band of people doing things right. Our candidates have kept their expenses well below the ceiling. I am a film star and I've invested what I would in a movie.
What if you go below 10 per cent or even 5 per cent? I'm here for the long haul. The rest of my life is dedicated to politics. This (poll) is the foundation for assembly polls.
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Poll-Pourri: Sunny Deol, Urmila & Other Stars Who've Joined Politics
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It's counting day today and all eyes are on the political scoreboard. From seasoned to the newbies, a bunch of stars are trying their luck at the polls today. Actor-producer Sunny Deol, Urmila Matondkar and Gautam Gambhir are hoping to score on their debuts today.
Here are some film stars who have dabbled in politics over the years.
It's counting day today and all eyes are on the political scoreboard. From seasoned to the newbies, a bunch of stars are trying their luck at the polls today. Actor-producer Sunny Deol, Urmila Mat..
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Weeks before the 17th Lok Sabha elections kicked off, actress Urmila Matondkar shook hands with the Indian National Congress (INC). The 45-year-old actress was welcomed in the party by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.
The 'Rangeela' actress, who is contesting from the Mumbai North constituency against BJP MP Gopal Shetty, is hoping to score a victory.
Weeks before the 17th Lok Sabha elections kicked off, actress Urmila Matondkar shook hands with the Indian National Congress (INC). The 45-year-old actress was welcomed in the party by Congress chi..
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Actress Poonam Sinha, wife of actor Shatrughan Sinha, became a part of the SP in April this year. The 69-year-old is trying her luck against BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow.
Actress Poonam Sinha, wife of actor Shatrughan Sinha, became a part of the SP in April this year. The 69-year-old is trying her luck against BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow.
Actress-turned-politician Jaya Prada's ongoing political career kicked off in 1994 when she joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). In 2004, the 57-year-old became a part of the Samajwadi Party (SP). However, in 2010, she was expelled due to anti-party activities.
In March this year, Prada joined BJP. She is set to take on her friend-turned-foe, SP's Azam Khan, from Rampur today.
Actress-turned-politician Jaya Prada's ongoing political career kicked off in 1994 when she joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). In 2004, the 57-year-old became a part of the Samajwadi Party (SP). ..
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Singer Hans Raj Hans first stint with politics was in 2009 when he joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He resigned from the party in 2014. Two years later, in 2016, he joined the Congress party. However, he did not feel welcome in the Rahul Gandhi-led party. In the same year, he switched to the BJP.
In the 17th Lok Sabha polls, the singer is competing against Congress's Udit Raj from North-west Delhi.
If he proves victorious today, he will be one of the leading Dalit faces from the party.
Singer Hans Raj Hans first stint with politics was in 2009 when he joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He resigned from the party in 2014. Two years later, in 2016, he joined the Congress party. ..
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'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai' actress Shilpa Shinde joined the Indian political scene this year. Before confirming the news, she had to face heavy trolling on social media.
Few weeks later, the 41-year-old confirmed that she was keen on contesting the elections on a Congress ticket from Mumbai.
The 'Bigg Boss 11' winner's fate in politics will be decided today.
'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai' actress Shilpa Shinde joined the Indian political scene this year. Before confirming the news, she had to face heavy trolling on social media.
Few weeks later, the 41-year..
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Bengali actress Mimi Chakraborty debuted in the Indian political scene this year. The 30-year-old contested elections from Jadavpur constituency on a Trinamool Congress ticket (TMC).
Today's results could either mark the beginning of her political career or put it to an end to it altogether.
Bengali actress Mimi Chakraborty debuted in the Indian political scene this year. The 30-year-old contested elections from Jadavpur constituency on a Trinamool Congress ticket (TMC).
Today's res..
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Another popular star of Bengali cinema who walked into the political world is Nusrat Jahan.
The 28-year-old contested Lok Sabha elections from the Basirhat constituency in South Bengal.
Now, the results will tell if the actress is set to embark on a political career or not.
Another popular star of Bengali cinema who walked into the political world is Nusrat Jahan.
The 28-year-old contested Lok Sabha elections from the Basirhat constituency in South Bengal.
Now, ..
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Malayalam star Suresh Gopi has had a rather long political career starting from his college days itself.
The 60-year-old, who was an active member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), was sworn as an MP for the Rajya Sabha in 2016. Later in the same year, Gopi joined the BJP.
This year, Gopi contested from Thrissur constituency. Today's poll results will tell what's next on the actor's to-do list.
Malayalam star Suresh Gopi has had a rather long political career starting from his college days itself.
The 60-year-old, who was an active member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM..
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Actor, director and producer Prakash Raj stepped into the world of politics in 2017. The 54-year-old initiated a political movement with the hashtag #justasking after the assassination of journalist Gauri Lankesh.
This year, the 'Dabangg 2' actor contested as an independent candidate from Bengaluru central. He was pitted against Congress's Rizwan Arshad.
Going by the results, the actor is currently trailing in his constituency.
Actor, director and producer Prakash Raj stepped into the world of politics in 2017. The 54-year-old initiated a political movement with the hashtag #justasking after the assassination of journalis..
