HOW KAMAL HASSAN QUELLED A COMMUNAL FLARE UP
March Against This Offensive Poster

Report by CNB              Photos - K.M. Veeresh           Date - 22-10-2006 Time - 10-00 PM

Kamal Hassan has always presented a secular image and has shown that he remains true to his convictions from the beginning of his career. A confirmed atheist he values the human bondage and compassion more than anything. To him the talent is supreme and he has encouraged many budding talents. He has a progressive mindset which has inspired millions of his fans. But a recent incident would have marred that secular, progressive image had it not been for the actor's personal intervention which quelled a near spark of ignited Muslim ire. His timely warning not only restored his secular image, but had quelled the ignited feelings of some Muslims.

The warning became inevitable after the appearance of a few posters in Chennai which hailed Kamal as "Prophet Nabi of Tamil film world’ the posters also went on to say that Kamal as whiter than milk and more philanthropic minded than Pari Vallal. The posters were printed in the name of `Kalaignaani Kamal Hassan Bhakthargal'.

Kamal Hassan recently issued a statement condemning the acts of the people behind these posters and said these people were masquerading as his fans. He also made it clear that he has no fans associations and all of them have long been converted as welfare associations.

The posters were pasted around walls in many places just in time of the star's birthday which falls on November 7. Since Kamal fans have been quite excited about the stupendous success of his recent film "Vettaiyaadu Vizhaiyaadu', many people even thought that the some misguided fans were indulging in such actions without knowing the consequences.

The contents of the posters naturally ignited the passions of some Muslim organization that were aghast to find Prophet being compared to Kamal. The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) took a strong exception to the contents in these posters and complained to Chennai's Police Commissioner. They also planned protest march against this offensive poster.

Unfortunately, Kamal was away to Andhra Pradesh for the shooting of his recent film "Dashavatharam'. When Kamal was informed, he was very much upset and immediately issued a statement sternly warning the miscreants misusing his name.

Kamal's office staff went round and tore up the offending posters overnight. In his statement, Kamal sternly warned the persons responsible to apologies and give an undertaking that they would not repeat such malicious deeds.

He said as the action of the "miscreants" not only wounded the feelings of a particular community but also hurt him personally, a stern warning would be more effective than issuing an appeal.

Recalling that he had for long kept away from all religious and communal divides, Kamal said that by apologizing those who were responsible for these posters would be doing a service to Tamil Nadu, a State known for its communal peace and religious amity.

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