CHENNAI: Bowing to pressure and protests from Hindu outfits, actor Kamal Haasan announced his decision to drop his ‘Kamal Haasan kavidhai’ from his forthcoming flick 'Manmadhan Ambu' , which is to hit the screens this Friday.
The Hindu activists claim the song has derogatory remarks against Hindu gods Varalakshmi and Perumal, apart from insulting the sages and women.
The actor, who penned the controversial song 'Kannodu Kannai Kalandhalendral' , made the announcement on Monday evening after over 100 members of the Hindu Munnani gathered outside his office in Eldams Road in protest against the song.
“We have decided to remove this song, as we want people of all religions to watch the film. Had the film been produced by me, I would have released the film with the song, but it has been produced by Red Giant Movies (which is headed by Udhayanidhi Stalin, grandson of the rationalist DMK patriarch and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mu Karunanidhi), and I am only an artiste in it,” his statement read.
While reiterating his rationalist beliefs, the actor said he had decided to remove the song only keeping in mind commercial compulsions, though he was confident that the song, already popular, did not hurt Hindu sentiments.
The film had received censor board certification only because it did not affect Hindus, he noted.
Speaking to Express, T Ilango, Hindu Munnani general secretary, said Kamal and the film’s director KS Ravikumar on Monday evening met the protesters and agreed to their demand, as they did not want the issue to hinder the film’s commercial success.
The Hindu Makkal Katchi had earlier issued legal notices to Udhayanidhi Stalin, Ravikumar, music director Devisri Prasad and Kamal.