The latest actor to enter into politics in Tamil Nadu is popular comedian and actor Kovai Sarala. Sarala joined Kamal Haasan’s political party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) early on Friday morning, while participating in MNM’s Women’s Day celebrations held at their party headquarters in Chennai.
மக்கள் நீதி மய்யம் கட்சி இனி மகளிர் நீதி மய்யம் கட்சியாக இருக்கின்றது. மகளிருக்கான நீதியினைப் பெற்றுத்தரும் என்கின்ற நம்பிக்கையுடன் நான் கட்சியில் இணைகிறேன் என்று கோவை சரளா அவர்கள் தெரிவித்தார்.#மகளிர்தினம்#Nammavar#MakkalNeedhiMaiam pic.twitter.com/D9zUaTsCDR
— Makkal Needhi Maiam | மக்கள் நீதி மய்யம் (@maiamofficial) March 8, 2019
Speaking at the event Kovai Sarala joked that with an increasing number of women members, Makkal Needhi Maiam might become ‘Magalir’ (Women’s) Needhi Maiam. The versatile actor who has appeared in more than 750 movies in more than five languages so far stated that she believed in an equal society when men and women had equal rights and also added that MNM is capable of bringing about such a change in the society. “Women of Tamil Nadu are repressed, this must be changed. We must ensure that the men in our homes vote for a party that will work for the development of women (MNM),” she said.
Also addressing the oft-heard criticism that many actors tend to join politics in the state, “I heard a lot of criticism on actors who enter politics. But I believe actors who play different roles are able to empathise with the plight of the common man. They (actors) are the ones who will be able to eradicate the problems of the common man. That is why I have an emotional connect with this party,” she said.
The party that was founded in February last year also has actor Sri Priya as its Women and Children Welfare Coordinator and Kameela Nasser as its Zonal In-charge.
In February this year, party leader Kamal Haasan announced that MNM will contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections independently. Kamal had said that his party would not form an alliance with any of the Dravidian parties. The actor, however, is yet to give up on his career. Filming for Indian 2 with director Shankar is currently in progress.