Actors shouldn't assume they know everything: Sathyaraj on TN politics

Even as two superstars of Tamil Nadu, Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan, take their plunge into politics, veteran actor Sathyaraj warns actors to not think that they know everything.

“Just by being a popular actor, one does not know everything. If he(the actor) thinks he knows everything, it is a mistake. If people think he knows everything, it is an even bigger mistake,” Sathyaraj said at the Conference on Protection of Social Justice.

To emphasise on the issue, the actor pointed to author Suba Veerapandian who was on stage and quipped, “Regarding social justice, Subavi knows a lot but how can he be expected to play table tennis superbly?

Reflecting on the motivation for an actor to enter politics, Sathyaraj said, “We don’t have any problems. I have been acting for the past 40 years. I have earned more than what we need for three generations... Even if I get defeated in politics, what do you think I stand to lose? I will just get up and leave. If I lose, it is good for the both of us. I don’t have any responsibilities. Supposing I win, what is your(the people’s) situation?”

With this, he requested people to be wise when it comes to electoral politics.

“It is in your hands. Please don’t do any comedy,” he said.

With the demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in December 2016, a few actors have shifted from cinema to politics to fill the leadership vacuum in the state. In 2017, popular film stars Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth announced their entry into politics. While their official political parties are not yet declared, they have been laying the groundwork to garner a strong base to contest elections.