For the DMK, Murasoli's platinum jubilee celebrations proved to be yet another opportunity to host an event that would project their strength. Except this time, it wasn't politicians but film stars who took centrestage at Anna Arivalayam. While actor Kamal Haasan was seated at the dais, superstar Rajinikanth was in the audience, seated near actor Prabhu.
The event was being keenly watched as Kamal Haasan has been hinting at his arrival into politics. But the Bigg Boss host chose to remain cryptic by making a few statements that could be seen as answer to the rhetoric wielded by 'anti-Dravidian' parties.
Kamal was introduced as a 'Tamilian' and as an actor who single-handedly turned the world's attention towards Tamil Nadu. In a nine-minute speech, the actor claimed that he initially wanted to sit with Rajinikanth in the audience when invited. "But I later decided that I was being a fool. Self-defense is not important, self-respect is what matters," he said, even as the superstar clapped from the audience.
He further admitted that he received a telegram from MK Karunanidhi in 1983, asking him to joining the DMK. "I was too scared to reply or tell everyone. I haven't given a response to that till today," he confessed.
In a loaded statement, the actor referred to himself as an 'artist without a poonal' and claimed that "Dravidam will exist till the word exists in the national anthem."
He further went on to say, "Dravidam is a pan India moment. The number of votes don't matter, the strength of the people is what I am referring to."