Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has once again stirred political and religious controversy with his recent comments on Sanatana Dharma, drawing sharp criticism from Tamil Nadu BJP leaders and sparking a widespread boycott campaign.
The comments were made during an event hosted by actor Suriya’s Agaram Foundation, where Kamal stressed the importance of education as a tool to revolutionize society. However, he stated that “education is the only weapon that can break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatana,” which drew strong backlash.
BJP Tamil Nadu Secretary Amar Prasad Reddy took to social media, accusing Kamal of intentionally hurting Hindu sentiments. Sharing a video of the actor’s speech, Reddy urged Hindus to boycott all films of Kamal Haasan, claiming the actor has a consistent track record of making derogatory remarks against Hindu beliefs.”I appeal to every Hindu – Boycott Kamal Haasan’s movies who wants to DESTROY Sanathana Dharma! Let this be a message,” Reddy tweeted.
Reddy also likened Kamal’s stance to that of Udhayanidhi Stalin, who too faced severe backlash for his anti-Sanatana remarks. He asserted that such “irresponsible statements” cannot be allowed to go unchecked and that people should use economic pressure (boycotts) to make their disapproval heard.
This is not the first time Kamal Haasan has courted controversy. Just a few months ago, he made headlines for his remark that Kannada was born from Tamil, a statement that led to the Karnataka Film Chamber banning his upcoming film Thug Life for a month.
Kamal Haasan, known for his outspokenness, has often been at odds with religious and political institutions, and this latest episode adds to a growing list of polarizing public statements.
As tensions rise ahead of Thug Life’s release, and with political heat intensifying, it remains to be seen whether Kamal will address the backlash or maintain his silence.
