Huge turnout minus biryani, money

Madurai: The venue where actor Kamal Hassan launched his political party at Othakadai here on Wednesday lacked verve by 5 pm. But it burst into life two and a half hours later when the actor, clad in black trousers and white full sleeve, entered the arena to hoist his party's flag.

The build-up and the meeting were marked by the good and bad. There was genuine hope among many that Kamal would offer a refreshing alternative to the Dravidian giants.

G. K. Suresh, a fan from Chennai, said almost all the fans had made the trip on their own. “There was no need for money or biriyani to bring people here. It's a different party and we have a radically different leader,” he added.

A woman fan who didn't wish to her name because of her employment with the state government said Kamal offers hope for the common man. “He speaks like one among us. We have hope for the future,” she said. G. Manoharan said he has always voted for Left parties. “I think Kamal speaks like a Left leader. It's not going to be easy, so he has to persevere,” he added.

There were unseemly incidents too as fans high on alcohol created mayhem near the dais throughout. They were in no mood to listen to anybody. Such boorish behaviour highlighted the enormity of the task at his hand. Not all his followers share his idealism.