Chennai: The voice of cinema met the voice of the people as actor and political thinker Kamal Haasan joined the chorus of mourning for Comrade V.S. Achuthanandan, describing him in a touching message as “a guide to the neglected.” In a heartfelt social media tribute, Haasan hailed the late veteran as a tireless fighter who lived and breathed for those forgotten by mainstream society.
"VS Achuthanandan, the guide to the neglected, is now at rest," Kamal wrote. "Former Chief Minister of Kerala, freedom fighter and communist icon, he never stopped fighting for the forgotten. Kerala and India have lost a true people's champion. Farewell, Comrade."
Kamal Haasan, known for blending art with activism, struck a chord with millions through his simple yet profound words. The actor’s tribute echoed what many across the country feel that VS was more than a politician; he was a moral compass for those pushed to the peripheries of society.
In calling him "a guide to the neglected," Haasan captured the essence of VS’s political life whether it was organizing landless laborers in the fields of Kuttanad, confronting state repression during the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, or challenging land mafias as Chief Minister. VS didn’t just represent the people; he belonged to them.
The passing of Achuthanandan at 101 has resonated far beyond the political sphere. His death is not just a moment for Left-leaning India to mourn it is a pause for reflection among thinkers, artists, activists, and anyone who values a politics rooted in ethics and empathy. Kamal Haasan’s tribute serves as a bridge between cultural India and political India, underscoring how deeply VS’s life touched lives across ideologies and professions.
Kamal’s farewell to VS was not just a message of grief it was a comrade’s salute. Both men, in their own arenas, have fought for dignity, inclusion, and truth. Kamal’s tribute is a reminder that VS’s influence extended well beyond policy and governance; he inspired art, conscience, and courage.
As Kerala prepares to bid a final farewell with full state honors, Kamal Haasan’s words will remain etched in the collective memory:
“He never stopped fighting for the forgotten.”
And in that, V.S. Achuthanandan has earned the only title that truly matters a champion of the people.