Kamal Haasan in fresh controversy, this time over traditional medicine

October 20, 2017 09:08

As a row erupted over his statement asking his fan clubs to not distribute nilavembu, a traditional drink used to fight dengue, veteran actor Kamal Haasan said he made a suggestion about its use in view of a controversy over its efficacy and he was not against it.

In a statement in Chennai last night, he said it was "not fair" to paint him as opposed to the traditional medicine, said to improve immunity, following his tweet to his fan clubs.

Haasan said he had put out a tweet on the issue only because a controversy had erupted over the use of nilavembu concoction being given as part of treatment for dengue fever, which has affected a large number of people in Tamil Nadu in recent weeks.

"I had put out the tweet to avoid the medicine, which is under a controversy, from being given in excess quantity. I don't prefer those of my movement to give a medicine without the advice or direction of a doctor," he said. "... That its being spread as if Kamal Haasan is opposed to nilavembu is not fair," he said.

The actor said he was being critical only of the medicine being given sans proper doctors' guidance and said he welcomed any initiative benefiting people. Haasan also said he did not discriminate between any branches of medicine.

Taking a swipe at the AIADMK government over the spread of dengue, he sarcastically remarked using a Tamil saying that preventive steps could have been put in place earlier.

Further, "It can be learnt from neighbouring Kerala on how to control dengue," he added.

Image shows Kamal Haasan with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram, on September 1, 2017.

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