Actor Kamal Haasan has been criticised for what is being widely described as a curt condolence message about the late Chief Minister Jayalalitha‘s death. Yesterday, the actor tweeted:
சார்ந்தோர் அனைவருக்கும் ஆழ்ந்த அனுதாபங்கள்.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 6, 2016
While actors like Rajinikanth, Sivakumar and much of the Tamil fraternity paid rich tributes to Jayalalitha, Kamal’s curiously worded tweet was a study in contrast. It read: ‘Condolences to everyone related to her.’ Social media users, including his own fanbase, lambasted Haasan for the phrasing.
@sid_kamal begged amma cried in tv for viswaroopam success now busy in usa for flop sabash Reddy @Rohitsuperfan @sashank2k @ikamalhaasan
— Prasanna (@Robo1235) December 6, 2016
A fan criticised Kamal for not paying his respects personally. Haasan had likewise not been in attendance when mentor director K Balachander passed away.
@Robo1235 @sashank2k @ikamalhaasan he is not come for guru director k balachandar death also now doing for our iron lady Amma.
— jaiganesh (@JAIGANESHTWEETY) December 6, 2016
@ikamalhaasan this cruel tweet and attitude keeps even fans at a distance. in fact u shud have been the first to come and pay tribute shame
— Bharathi K (@BharathiK19) December 7, 2016
அற்ப தனமான டிவீட் …இவர் வேற்று கிரகத்தை சார்ந்தவர் போலும்… @ikamalhaasanhttps://t.co/N1WKBVflz0
— vinram (@vinram) December 7, 201
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
While many speculated that Kamal’s seemingly indifferent message had to do with Jayalalitha’s role in delays around his film Viswaroopam, there is an alternative explanation.
When Abbas Kiorastami, Na Muthukumar, and Robin Williams passed away, Kamal sent out condolence messages that were practically indecipherable.
World cinema mourns great loss Abbas Kiarostami passes. He had to make his last 2 films outside Iran. Death be not proud You 2 Iran Govt.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) November 23, 2016
His condolence message for Na Muthukumar seemed to insinuate that the late lyricist had killed himself by drinking too much – a claim that naturally offended Muthukumar’s family.
நியாயமில்லை. 41 சாகும் வயதில்லை ந.முத்துக்குமார் மிக மெதுவாய்ச் செய்த தன் நனலம்பேணாத் தற்கொலையால் கோபமே. எனினுமவர் கவிக்கும் நட்பிற்கு நன்றி
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) August 14, 2016
Looks like the issue has more to do with Kamal’s inability to fit his feelings into Twitter’s 140 characters limit, and not any personal ill-will. Kamal seems to be an equal opportunity offender. So that’s something at least!
