Kamal Haasan sorry for backing demonetization, hopes PM also accepts his mistake

Kamal Haasan has issued an apology for supporting the demonetization move of the government last November that was aimed at curbing the generation of black money but ended up hobbling the economy.

Having backed the move earlier, the South star apologized for his earlier stand and also expressed the hope that prime minister Narendra Modi, too, would accept his mistake in pushing for the move.

Kamal Haasan expressed his views in a column in the Tamil magazine Vikatan. “I owe a big apology to the people for supporting demonetization in a hurry," he wrote. "I initially thought demonetization was going to curb black money and that people should bear with the problems during that transition.”

The actor's view of demonetization has changed after his friends, who are well versed with economics, explained to him the demerits of the move. He wrote, “I consoled myself, saying that while the plan was good, there may have been some problems with implementation.”

The Sadma (1983) actor had praised the move earlier, lauding Modi in a tweet in November: “Salute Mr Modi. This move has to be celebrated across political party lines. Most importantly by earnest taxpayers."

Kamal Haasan is now hoping that the prime minister will follow his lead. “The sign of a good leader is to accept his/her mistake. Gandhi accepted his mistake and leaders today can also accept mistakes. If the PM accepts his mistake in this case, then I will salute him.” he wrote.

The southern star is likely to enter politics by floating his own party next month.