I made 'Hey Ram' to apologize to Bapu: Kamal Haasan tells Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: Renowned actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan, in a conversation with Rahul Gandhi recently has said he made his movie ‘Hey Ram’ to apologize to Mahatma Gandhi and for correcting himself from being a bitter critic of the father of the nation.
The video of the conversation between Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Kamal Haasan was uploaded on the official YouTube channel of Congress.
The movie ‘Hey Ram’ was made by 68-year-old Kamal Haasan who also starred in the movie besides producing it himself.
Speaking to Rahul Gandhi, Haasan said, “I talk a lot about Gandhi ji now, but it wasn’t right from the beginning. My father was a Congressman but my environment made me a bitter critic of Gandhi ji when I was in my teens. My father said, ‘Just read history, you are talking about today.’ But today matters, is what said. He was a lawyer, but he didn’t argue with me on this.”
The actor also recalled how Gandhi's teachings started attracting him when he was in his 20s. This, he added, laid the foundation for the period movie 'Hey Ram', which presents an alternate history, depicting India’s partition and the assassination of Gandhi by Nathuram Godse.
“When I was 24-25, I discovered Gandhi ji on my own and over the years I have exponentially become a fan. To actually correct yourself and say sorry, that’s why I made Hey Ram, where I played a parallel assassin, wanting to kill Gandhi ji. As he goes nearer to the person–and the truth–he changes. But it’s too late, somebody else does the job that he wanted to but changed his mind,” Haasan explained.
Rahul Gandhi asked Haasan if the idea for the movie was his and the actor said it was so, adding, “It was my way of saying sorry to my Bapu. I have to take the onus of the crimes, including what happened in your family. We let it happen.”
'Hey Ram' had won three honors at the 47th National Film Awards, best supporting actor for Atul Kulkarni, costume design for Sarika and Manthra for special effects. While the movie opened to acclaim, it was also India’s submission to the Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. The movie was made simultaneously in Tamil and Hindi, featuring Shah Rukh Khan in a supporting role.
Haasan joined the Congress rally Bharat Jodo Yatra last week in the national capital. The president of the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) said during his speech at the Red Fort, New Delhi, “Many people asked me why I’m here. I’m here as an Indian. My father was a Congressman. I have had various ideologies and started my own political party but when it comes to the country, all party lines have to blur. I blurred that line and came here.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
'The Ba**ds of Bollywood’ mirrors my life, damages my reputation: Sameer Wankhede tells Delhi HC
New Delhi: IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has submitted his reply to the Delhi High Court in the defamation case he filed against Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan. The case pertains to the recently released series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, which Wankhede claims has defamed him.
In his statement to the court, Wankhede asserted that the show’s portrayal of a police officer is clearly based on him and has caused serious harm to his public image. He cited four key reasons supporting his claim.
First, he said the character in question bears physical similarities to him, including facial and body features. Second, he noted that the character’s working style and mannerisms closely resemble his own.
Third, Wankhede highlighted that the officer in the show is depicted making a high-profile arrest involving a major film personality, which he said directly mirrors his own involvement in the Aryan Khan drug case.
Fourth, he pointed out that the character frequently uses the phrase “Satyameva Jayate,” a motto he himself had used during media interactions in the course of that investigation. He argued that using the national motto in such a context cannot be dismissed as creative expression or humour.
Wankhede also referred to an interview in which Aryan Khan allegedly admitted that the show was “inspired by some real events.” This, he said, contradicts Red Chillies Entertainment’s claim that The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is purely fictional.
He further alleged that the tone and intent of the series indicate personal and institutional vendetta, aimed at discrediting and defaming him rather than engaging in artistic storytelling.
Wankhede informed the court that the fallout from the show has affected his family, with his wife and sister receiving abusive and vulgar messages online.
Rejecting Red Chillies’ argument that he is a “thin-skinned” officer, Wankhede said that a public servant cannot be expected to tolerate false and damaging portrayals simply because of his position. He emphasized that his legal action seeks to protect the constitutional rights and dignity of both himself and his family.
