Kamal Haasan and Manju Warrier recently attended a session at the Hortus Art and Literature Festival in Kerala, where the actor–politician addressed questions about his political stand and his contemporary rival, actor Vijay. Kamal, the founder of the centrist party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and a Rajya Sabha MP, was asked about Vijay’s newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).During the on-stage interaction, Kamal was asked how Vijay’s TVK had clearly identified the ruling DMK as its political rival ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. When asked whom MNM considers its rival, Kamal responded with strong words, “My enemy is bigger than what most parties would dare to identify. My enemy, direct enemy… I’ll go for the kill, is casteism. Why use a violent word like kill? Because casteism is very, very violent. It has to be dealt with deliberately, quickly, and as soon as possible. That is my enemy, I have chosen my enemy, it’s a big enemy.”

Kamal on whether he has any advice for Vijay

Kamal was also asked if he had any advice for Vijay, considering he launched his party in 2018 and Vijay formed his in 2024. Sharing that he himself has often sought guidance from Chief Ministers, Kamal said he does not see himself in a position to advise anyone.He explained, “I am not in a position to give advice. I never took advice because it never came to me at the right moment. Maybe it’s not the right moment to advise my brother. Experience is a better teacher than any of us because we have a bias; experience doesn’t. It just comes, gives you what you deserve to learn.”

Work front

Kamal Haasan was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life earlier this year, which opened to a lukewarm response. He will next star in an untitled project by stunt director duo Anbariv and is also set to produce a film featuring Rajinikanth.Vijay, meanwhile, was last seen in Venkat Prabhu’s 2024 film The GOAT. His final acting project is expected to be H Vinoth’s Jana Nayagan, slated for a Pongal 2026 release.