Haasan visits Kalam's house before party launch

Ramanathapuram (TN): Setting off on his political journey from a ‘simple man’s abode,’ veteran film star Kamal Haasan today paid a visit to the house of former President, the late APJ Abdul Kalam here, before he launches his party later today.

Haasan visited House of Kalam in Rameswaram in this district and was received warmly by the ex-president’s family members. However, the actor’s visit could not go according to plans as the local administration denied him the permission to visit the APJ Kalam school, where the former president studied, saying the event was political in nature.

When contacted, Haasan’s publicist said the authorities denied the permission saying the students will be “disturbed”. He said the actor also did not want to create any disturbance to anyone hence he returned to his hotel and proceeded for a meeting with fishermen.

Meanwhile, the actor-director said, “Greatness can come from simple beginnings,” about his visit to Kalam’s residence. “Greatness can come from simple beginnings. Actually it will come only from simplicity. Glad to start my journey from a great man’s simple abode,” he said in a tweet.

Haasan briefly interacted with Kalam’s nonagenarian brother Mohammed Muthumeeran Lebbai Maraikkayar. Kalam’s family presented a memento carrying an image of the former president to Haasan. Later, interacting with members of the fishermen community, Haasan said he had learnt about their problems through media reports but wanted to hear it from themselves.

“Henceforth, it will happen so,” he said hinting at more such interactions. Previous governments made promises to fishermen but did not live up to them and “divert” the issue when confronted, he charged. The actor is all set to take a political plunge later today as he will announce his party’s prospective name and unveil its flag at a public meeting in Madurai.

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal is also scheduled to attend the launch event this evening.