No. You are not reading a news item divulging information about the sequel to Dasavaathaaram. This is about the other side of Kamal Hasaan – the philanthropist in him.
This is just a pointer to what Kamal Haasan has been doing away from the publicity, which seems to have been masked by the hype and hoopla of the super-tamassha that is Dasavathaaram. And whatever the actor does, it is always grand and draws attention.
Kamal Haasan has been actively participating in the AIDS campaign by Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society and United Nations. He is helping to spread awareness about this syndrome and to eradicate the social stigma associated with it.
Ever since this programme kick-started way back in December, posters and hoardings displaying the stalwart actor wearing a full beard became ubiquitous. Since April 22, 2008, every radio station began to broadcast his campaign titled “Ini Oru Vidhi Seivom”, which when translated into English roughly means “we will build a new destiny.” Now the campaign is restricted to radio broadcasts only as hoardings have been banned by the State government.
A part of this campaign programme is a question session, where any one who has any doubts or fears about AIDS can consult (by phone) an expert panel present in the radio station. This medium educates people about HIV and AIDS. It also lends moral support to AIDS patients and aims at including this group in general society and overcoming the stigma attached to it. Its main emphasis is on prevention of transmission of the virus from an affected mother to a child.
The programme also broadcasts Kamal Haasan’s take on AIDS and the misconceptions associated with it. Indeed, the presence of a stalwart such as Kamal Haasan, helps to bring down the stigma associated with the disease, which is more painful than its symptoms.
Kamal Haasan will promote this programme and urge people to participate. The programme will be aired every Tuesday at 1 p.m. on all radio FM channels.
Click here to view Kamal Haasan’s photo gallery.
