Kamal Haasan receiving the Padma Bhushan. Image courtesy: PTI
Chennai:
Tamil cinema star Kamal Haasan, whohad last year threatened to leave India in the light ofcontroversies surrounding his film Vishwaroopam, on March 31pledged his "commitment" to the country and expressed hope hewould not leave it.
Hours after arriving after receiving the prestigiousPadma Bhushan award in New Delhi, the actor admitted he hadfelt "more emotional".In an apparent reference to his earlier being at thevenue to receive the Padma Shri in the 1990s, theactor-director said since he had been there earlier also, hethought he would not be as moved as he was the first time.
"I was in for a surprise. I felt even more emotional thistime," he said in a statement.
"I thought age would have brought about skepticism oreven pragmatism since after all, politicians are also involvedin this selection process, but I felt myself moved to tears,"the actor said.
Seeing stalwarts and champions around him, he for amoment forgot about corruption, horse-trading, rapes and"other misdemeanours" of some of his fellow countrymen, theactor said.
"I looked around me, proud to be among the champions,absolutely humbled by all the talent and achievement theystood for. I once again pledged my commitment to the countryand hoped I won't have to leave it in anger in future. I foundmyself to be positive."
"I am proud of to be an Indian. It has all to do withIndians and nothing to do with state of Indian politics andpoliticians," he said.
He saluted the faceless heroes with whom he was yet to beacquainted with.
Last year, Kamal Haasan had courted controversy with hisflick Vishwaroopam as Muslim groups had got up in arms againstthe depiction of their community in the film.Upset over hurdles caused by the ban on the release ofthe mega budget film, an emotional Kamal Haasan had said TamilNadu did not want him to stay in the state and he might seek a"secular" place in the country or overseas, on the lines ofexiled painter M F Hussain.
Hours after arriving after receiving the prestigiousPadma Bhushan award in New Delhi, the actor admitted he hadfelt "more emotional".In an apparent reference to his earlier being at thevenue to receive the Padma Shri in the 1990s, theactor-director said since he had been there earlier also, hethought he would not be as moved as he was the first time.
"I was in for a surprise. I felt even more emotional thistime," he said in a statement.
"I thought age would have brought about skepticism oreven pragmatism since after all, politicians are also involvedin this selection process, but I felt myself moved to tears,"the actor said.
Seeing stalwarts and champions around him, he for amoment forgot about corruption, horse-trading, rapes and"other misdemeanours" of some of his fellow countrymen, theactor said.
"I looked around me, proud to be among the champions,absolutely humbled by all the talent and achievement theystood for. I once again pledged my commitment to the countryand hoped I won't have to leave it in anger in future. I foundmyself to be positive."
"I am proud of to be an Indian. It has all to do withIndians and nothing to do with state of Indian politics andpoliticians," he said.
He saluted the faceless heroes with whom he was yet to beacquainted with.
Last year, Kamal Haasan had courted controversy with hisflick Vishwaroopam as Muslim groups had got up in arms againstthe depiction of their community in the film.Upset over hurdles caused by the ban on the release ofthe mega budget film, an emotional Kamal Haasan had said TamilNadu did not want him to stay in the state and he might seek a"secular" place in the country or overseas, on the lines ofexiled painter M F Hussain.
