Vikram: Here's what Kamal Haasan had to say on the Pathala Pathala lyric controversy

Kamal Haasan has been extensively promoting Vikram, which will hit the screens on June 3. The actor-politician and director Lokesh Kanagaraj held a press meet in Chennai. Speaking at the event, Kamal Haasan reacted to the Ondriyam controversy. Many felt that Vikram's first single, Pathala Pathala, took a dig at the Union Government. Written and sung by Kamal himself, the foot-tapping number has lines that roughly translate into, "because of the Union Government's fault, we are left with nothing now." Composed by Anirudh Ravichander, Pathala Pathala has garnered 33 million views on YouTube.

Kamal Haasan clarified, "The word ‘union’ has multiple connotations. For instance, there are different unions in cinema. If something goes wrong somewhere, a film will get affected, as a result. It can be interpreted in that sense, as well. One has to watch Vikram understand why those words were used in the first place."

Ulaganayagan reiterated the same, while he was promoting Vikram in Delhi. “As a nation, we have completely forgotten how to remain tolerant,” he said, adding that he expects people to offer criticism for his films. “I correct myself based on how constructive those criticisms are!”

Kamal Haasan observed, "Every Government should be criticised, and the people have the right to do so. I think that's the beauty of democracy. That's a quality of good leadership too; to take criticisms with a pinch of salt.”

On his experience of shouldering Vikram, Kamal Haasan said, “I had my last release four years ago. I was occupied with politics. I still am. But team Vikram was fantastic to work with. It was a mutually rewarding experience.”

Billed as a high-octane action drama, Vikram also stars Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, Kalidas Jayaram, Narain, Antony Varghese, Arjun Das, Chemban Vinod Jose, Gayathrie Shankar, and others, in pivotal roles.

Suriya also has a special appearance in the film.