Kamal Haasan unaffected by ‘anti-Hindu’ label in the ‘Bigg Boss’ Tamil controversy

‘Bigg Boss’, hosted by Salman Khan, is undoubtedly the most popular reality show on Hindi television. Hence, when a Tamil version of the show also began and veteran actor Kamal Haasan was brought on board as the host, we thought Tamil television was in for a huge success as well.

However, a group run by the idea of radical Hinduism, has accused Haasan of being an anti-Hindu and has also called for a ban on the show. The actor, although, remains unaffected with such labels. In conversation with Subhash K Jha, he said he is not ‘cowed down’ by such bullying. (Also Read: Kamal Haasan is miffed with TN Government’s dual tax burden on cinema halls, post GST)

“This, I’ve to admit, was unexpected. ‘Bigg Boss’ and its foreign version ‘Big Brother’ have been an accepted format for television for as long as we remember. ‘Bigg Boss’ has been telecast in India in Hindi for 11 years. It’s not likely to induce paroxysms of cultural hysteria in Tamilians who are familiar with the show. It’s a reality-show format accepted the world over. I see no cultural or ideological clash between us and them in the show. And, I haven’t come across anyone doing anything anti-national on the show,” Haasan said.

“I currently live in transit. My house is under construction. I am not worried. But this kind of rogue policing disturbs people close to you. That is a problem,” he added, while emphasising that he has no plans to quit as the show’s host.

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.