An Open Letter to Kamal Hassan.

Dear Mr. Hassan,

I have to admit I'm a fan. A huge fan of Kamal Hassan, the actor. Kamal Hassan, who has arguably the best comic timing in the industry. And the ever underrated Kamal Hassan, the singer. I felt for you when politicians and vested interests stopped your movies from releasing. I was with you supporting you when the common man asked questions about your personal life. It's his personal life, I told them. Appreciate the actor, don't judge his personal life. It's none of our business.

I loved it when you came on National Media once before the release of Dasavatharam and said religion and practicing religion should be like the the first night after marriage. In your own quintessential manner, you explained that you shouldn't have to ask who's religion is what. It's their own beliefs and we must let them be. I couldn't have agreed more.

But Mr Hassan, your recent foray into politics, the extravagant and sometimes irresponsible statements being made - statements being made without proof and with a lot of bias, has hurt a lot of people. Me included. Mr Hassan, when you tell people matters of religion should be within the four walls of their bedroom, why do you insist on putting forward your views on religions you don't care about? Or more particularly, Hindu Brahminism. You have spoken more about being an atheist than any priest in any temple would have spoken about God. You've made it a point to, time and again, include a snide remark in all your movies. In all your press conferences. A remark here about how you hate religion. A remark there about how brahmins are still exploiting others. Sorry, Mr. Hassan, if this is not hypocrisy, I do not know what is.

Second, why now, Mr Kamal Hassan? Why the sudden concern for society? The sudden love for the state. The sudden necessity to rescue the state from absolute evil, as you call it? Why did you not speak up when your movie was banned? Why did you say you whimper and threaten to leave the country? And what has changed between then and now? Where were you when the city was drowning in 2015? Did you not feel like coming to the rescue of people then? Did your misplaced communist ideologies not point you to the door? No, you were comfortable, Mr. Hassan. Comfortable within the confines of your own home.

The BJP government came to power in the center in 2014. Post which we had the TN chief minister go to jail. We had an interim CM. We had the CM acquitted, the CM admitted and the CM died. Where were you during all the turmoil? Mr. Hassan, you publically claimed to not have enough money to raise your movie, Vishwaroopam. What makes you think the common man will trust you with his money tomorrow? The common man does not have enough money to pay tax and manage four square meals a day, and you want him to support your new adventure? Don't you think it is irresponsible, if not stupid? I'm again not questioning your decision to enter politics. Only the timing. Why now?

You're an opportunist, Mr Hassan. An opportunist with misplaced ideals. Communism did not work for Germany. Communism was born in Germany and failed. Karl Marx and Lenin may be your inspirations but both were not without fault. The latter more than the former. Have you heard of Lenins gulags? You asked the present PM to apologise for Demonetisation. Would you be willing to apologise for everything Lenin did? You, Mr. Hassan, are an opportunist who did not have the guts to act when the previous CM was in power. You were scared of a powerful woman. And a wonderful statesman herself.

Speaking of being a statesman, Mr. Hassan, what experience do you have in administration. What have you administered or managed before? I don't want to get into your personal life, but that's hardly setting an example for how you'd behave when in charge of a State. You met the Communist from Kerala. You met Mr. Kejriwal. What were you trying to learn from them? Political murder and pollution control? Beware, Mr Hassan, the communists will use you and throw you away like tissue paper. Where will you go then?

You speak of making public all donations received. Cleaning up the State. Launching apps. All good thoughts that deserve plaudits. We are a country of a majority of Hindus. By alienating the majority, how do you plan on winning a majority? Elementary mathematics, Mr. Hassan. You were too busy making movies then. But learn now. Learn how to play politics without having to pit man against man. Religion against religion. You blamed the BJP of communalism. You are doing the exact same thing with your remarks. You will face a glorious defeat not because you were a bad politician. But only because you were an awful person. A hypocrite might win a few battles - but will lose the war.

So this is where we stand. Please go back to what you were good at. Making good films. For when you jump into a swamp, don't expect to get out clean.

Regards.