Kamal Haasan | PTI 
Chennai

TN Finance Minister D Jayakumar hits out at actor Kamal Haasan

The senior leader also sought to know what welfare activities the actor had done for the people of the state during the 2004 tsunami tragedy and the devastating floods of 2015.

From our online archive

CHENNAI: The ruling AIADMK (Amma) camp today continued to target veteran actor Kamal Haasan, with Finance Minister D Jayakumar asking him not to "pretend" that he was going to enter politics but indeed take the plunge.

The senior leader also sought to know what welfare activities the actor had done for the people of the state during the 2004 tsunami tragedy and the devastating floods of 2015.

"Politics is a bed of thorns. It should not be underestimated. Let him see the kind of difficulties in it by entering it. He should not pretend that he is entering politics," Jayakumar told reporters here.

"Have you (Haasan) done any welfare for the people through your fan clubs during tsunami or the floods," he asked.

Instead of acting, Haasan was "just uttering words" and the people of the state will realise it, the Minister said, and suggested the star should make his political plunge by January, apparently in 2018.

Ever since Kamal Haasan had made allegations of corruption in the government, he has been targeted by the ruling dispensation, with Chief Minister K Palaniswami himself asking the national award winning actor to take the political plunge to get proper response.

Local Administration Minister SP Velumani had sought proof for Haasan's allegations and had asked if the actor was ready to furnish tax details of his films.

The opposition including DMK have backed Haasan and urged the government to respond to his charges of corruption rather than targeting him.

Tiger Shroff firing: Bishnoi gang claims responsibility on social media; actor escapes unhurt

DMK, YSRCP backing CEC’s removal clouds Centre’s delimitation push ahead of possible Parliament session

Eight VB-G RAM G workers killed, 12 injured as speeding car runs over group in Punjab's Sangrur

Kolkata stampede casts shadow over Durga Puja as Bengal orders safety overhaul

CJP alleges delay in release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka; four sureties rejected