Saffron Not My Colour: Kamal Haasan Unlikely to Ally With Rajini

Kamal Haasan will begin his statewide tour this February 21. 

(Photo Courtesy: Yogen Shah)

After keeping the public waiting for over 3 months, actor Kamal Haasan has finally launched his website – maiam.com at a student conference in Harvard University.

While attending a student conference at Harvard University, Kamal talked about the urgent need for change in Tamil Nadu politics.

Called ‘Maiam’, the website has been designed with the motive to build a new sustainable model village.

At the event, he also indicated that he is unlikely to join hands with Rajinikanth anytime soon as there is a “a hue of saffron in Rajni’s politics”. The two stalwarts of Tamil cinema had announced their entry into politics around the same time as the other.

He said that although they share a friendly bond, their politics are different, adding that “saffron is not my colour".

He was equally dismissive of the Tamil Nadu government, describing it as corrupt and self-serving. He reiterated his stance at Harvard University as well.

Red is not my political complexion. I hope Rajinikanth’s colour is not saffron because if it is, an alliance is unlikely.

Kamal Haasan at Harvard University

People can register themselves as volunteers, agencies willing to contribute, NGOs and Resident Welfare Associations. You can even choose your area of interest – Health, education, environment, agriculture, finance, marketing, women empowerment and a dozen other options.

Kamal Haasan has launched his website ‘Maiam.’ (Photo Courtesy: Screengrab)

While delivering his speech at Harvard, the actor spoke about his dream of creating a "corruption-free Tamil Nadu."

He said he aspires to be a politician with a difference.

My films were different from my peers and I want to be different in politics too.

Kamal Haasan at Harvard University

The actor also said that he is unwilling to settle for one political ideology and would "feed himself in the international buffet of political ideologies".

He urged all youngsters to become the leaders the country and challenge the chaotic political situation in Tamil Nadu.

My true purpose today is to challenge the status quo and mediocrity that has plagued Tamil Nadu. When average businessmen and politicians set mediocrity as a standard, then rubbish becomes acceptable.

Kamal Haasan at Harvard University

Kamal Haasan plans to travel across the state and understand the grievances of the people. The website is a whistleblower of sorts, intended as a platform to reach out to the people of the state.

Haasan is scheduled to announce the name of his party on 21 February at Rameswaram, from where he would launch a statewide political tour.

He calls this tour a "journey of discovery" during which he will attempt to "understand people's needs and aspirations".