Kamal Haasan asks fans, supporters to rush help to TN flood victims

Chennai: Actor-politician Kamal Haasan who turned 67 on Sunday, appealed to his fans to reach out to the needy in Chennai after authorities sounded a preliminary flood alert in the Tamil Nadu capital following heavy rains.

"Dear friends, hurry up and help the poor people who are suffering from the floods. That could be the best birthday gift you can give me," the actor, who also heads the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam, tweeted in Tamil.

The authorities sounded the alert to people as two city reservoirs - Chembarambakkam and Puzhal, that serve as important sources of drinking water to the Chennai city -- would be opened to let out surplus rainwater.

From Saturday morning, Chennai and several suburbs in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts witnessed intermittent rains and showers became non-stop since the night that led to inundation in many areas, inconveniencing people.

The state water resources authorities advised district collectors of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur to evacuate people living in low-lying areas and house them in safe locations.

Earlier on Sunday morning, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was among the first to wish actor and politician Kamal Haasan on the occasion of his 67th birthday.

In a tweet on Sunday, Stalin said, "I express my sweet birthday wishes to my dear friend, 'Kalaignani' Kamal Haasan, one of the finest actors of Indian cinema and the President of the Makkal Needhi Maiam. I wish him good health and urge him to continue his good services."

Responding to the chief minister's tweet in Tamil, Kamal said, "To my dear friend M.K. Stalin, who has emerged as a fine example among chief ministers, your wholehearted birthday wishes have added more colour to my birthday."

Stalin's Kerala counterpart, Pinarayi Vijayan, also extended his birthday greetings to Kamal Haasan.

Taking to Twitter, Vijayan wrote, "Hearty birthday wishes dear @ikamalhaasan. You have always stood by Kerala in our every need. We are proud of your precious contributions to our cinema and culture. I wish you more happiness and success in your life and career."

The actor was swift to respond. He tweeted back: "Kerala was my first shelter which fostered me into lead roles in cinema. Apart from that, I admire Malayalees and you sir @vijayanpinarayi for being their valorous and benevolent leader. Thank you."

It wasn't just the Kerala Chief Minister who greeted the Tamil actor. Malayalam superstar Mammootty also extended his birthday greetings, wishing Kamal Hassan "a great year ahead".

Six-time National Award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu too took to Twitter to post his birthday greetings to Kamal Haasan. "Just like what Kalaignar Karunanidhi said about MGR, I too can say about Kamal Haasan: 'He has been my 40-year friend'," the lyricist tweeted.

He likened the gifted actor to a burning flame that looks to move up, even when a matchstick is held down and asked what could victories or defeats do to such a person.

Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu too was among the scores of others who wished Kamal Haasan a happy birthday. He tweeted, "To the epitome of excellence. Wishing you a very happy birthday @ikamalhaasan sir!"

Meanwhile, a number of welfare activities that had been planned on the occasion of the actor's birthday have been cancelled because of the rains.

An earlier statement from Makkal Needhi Maiam's information division had said that a series of welfare activities beginning from 10 a.m., was to be carried out through the day to mark the occasion of the party president's birthday. These included an eye camp, a dental camp, a blood donation camp and an organ donation camp, all of which were scheduled to be inaugurated by Kamal Haasan at the party office.