Actor Kamal Haasan had an ‘Onam’ lunch with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the latter’s official residence here on Friday, while confirming that it was a prelude to his entry into politics.

At a wedding function in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the actor had stopped short of announcing his political foray.

Haasan has been embroiled in a war of nerves with the government in neighbouring Tamil Nadu for some time now, and has frequently tweeted about corruption in the State, while calling for a new government.

Talking to reporters, the actor said his visit to the State was a private one, but he had taken time off to meet the Chief Minister. This was an exploratory visit since he was on a learning curve, politically speaking.

While the meeting of the two did not go farther than set up a photo-op, the actor might have succeeded in sending loaded signals to his constituency in Tamil Nadu, observers say.

Known for his mildly left-of-centre views, the much decorated actor has maintained cordial relations with the Left Democratic Front in the State, which heads the current dispensation, from time to time.

When the actor completed 50 years in his career, VS Achuthanandan, veteran CPI(M) leader and then Chief Minister, had honoured him.

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post congratulating Haasan, Chief Minister Vijayan had said that he was extremely delighted to hear about the French government bestowing the Chevalier de L’Ordre Arts et Lettres on the actor.

The actor replied saying “Thank you very much. Someone remarked how nice of another State’s head to lavish you with praise. I interjected ‘He is not another state’s CM. Ask any film going Malayalee which State I belong to.(sic)”

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