Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan, who entered the film industry when he was just three, has taken baby steps into politics. He says if people are there to support him, no journey, irrespective of its destination, is odious or painful.

In the 48 hours after Kamal launched Makkal Needhi Maiam on February 21 in Madurai, 201,597 people had registered to join the Tamil film icon's political party. Asked about his political journey, Kamal told IANS in an email interview: "The traction is enormous. Apart from being heady, as people would assume it is, it's head clearing.