So, this is the latest from Kamal Haasan. He’s reworking “certain scenes from Vishwaroopam”, is planning to take his “his battle” to the Supreme Court, is very, very broke, and yes, he’s also planning to leave the country.
After half-a-century in Indian cinema and four national awards, a visibly-upset, during a Wednesday morning presser, said that, as an artiste, he was “fed up” with the system.

“If M.F. Husain can do it, Kamal Haasan will do it... I am fed up. I am an artiste. If there is no secular state in India, I would go overseas.”
And he has a point. Here’s why Kamal, for example, gets along with the Americans so well.
“Kamal has reached a point in his career where he could be seriously considering a move to the US — professionally. I saw him interacting with the film crew there and he loved the way they worked. For example, in India, you have 13 people working on the sets. Those guys will get the job done with five people. There’s absolutely no labour waste, and their professionalism is inspiring. I don’t think Kamal finds all that in India anymore. We knew he was in some kind of trouble — with some of the producers pulling out of Vishwaroopam halfway into the shoot — but he never showed anger or dismay. He remained calm. I am a little surprised with the TN government’s behaviour because we were all under the impression that the government will stand by one of its biggest stars,” says a source who worked with the actor on the Vishwaroopam project.
Desperation, is a word artistes in this country are getting increasingly familiar with, besides being caught in the constant rut of ‘creative claustrophobia’. You can’t write, tweet, post, paint, film, sing or speak any more.
Petrol bombs were hurled into two theaters screening the movie, in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district. It’s really a bad time for artistes.
“I will completely understand if Kamal Haasan follows M.F. Hussain. Two rights are now being infringed — right of the filmmaker/ creator and right of the viewer. Let the film be released and let the public decide what’s right and wrong. At least, allow the public to make a comment and not dictate your terms by just banning it. I don’t need a politician or religious group to tell me what is right and wrong,” says Habib Faisal, the director of Ishaqzaade.
Says filmmaker Sanyog Mohite, “We are living in a democracy were we cherish our rights, including right to freedom of expression. To ensure this, we have proper institutions in place. What is the point of banning a film when Censor Board has cleared it? Also, here the filmmaker in question is not anyone, but a veteran and putting him in the midst of controversy is nothing, but insulting his talent. Sadly, this entire issue is about bowing down to a rioting bunch, which may not even have watched the film. We have seen how M.F. Husain left the country, it’s going to be a shame if Kamal Hassan chooses to leave too.”
Those agitations, however, seem to have achieved their purpose. Kamal’s had it! That brings us to another question, where will he go? Interestingly, Tollywood was quick to show support.
“We can’t afford to lose Kamal Haasan. He can come and stay with me in my house and my family will be proud. I believe, celluloid heroes have outgrown politicians and this is how the fickle netas are hitting back at stars. To defame them. Kamal is a precious talent and we openly welcome him to Andhra Pradesh,” said director Teja.
Actor Nagarjuna, meanwhile, called for calm. “I don’t think, he would be making such a hard decision of leaving the country. He might be under a lot of stress. He’s a very good multi-tasker and I wish him the best,” the actor said.