Kamal Haasan met Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy a second time in less than two weeks in Bengaluru on Monday. The actor-turned-politician, who is the chief of Makkal Needhi Maim (MNM), met the Janata Dal (Secular) leader to discuss the Cauvery water sharing issue between the two states.

Haasan, who was among the chiefs of political parties who attended Kumaraswamy’s swearing-in on 23 May, addressed a joint press conference with the Karnataka CM. The 63-year-old Haasan said that the purpose of his visit is to discuss the water sharing issue and find a solution to the contentious problem.

Commenting on the matter, Kumaraswamy said that concerns of farmers of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are equally important.

“We have to sort it (the problem) out without leaving scope for any differences,” he told reporters while Haasan nodded in agreement.

“Nowadays people and farmers are equally fed up. This dispute is 100 years old. At least we have to sort it out with mutual understanding,” the Karnataka CM said.

When asked to comment on Tamil Nadu taking the dispute to court, Haasan said that he comes from a family of lawyers but knows that disputes are best settled between people.

“I am the son of a lawyer. I have many lawyers in my family. Their advice is: ‘Settle it between people. Court should be the last resort’,” said Haasan, adding that it is important for people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to come together.

“The way forward is through people with a mindset to move forward. And I have hope for it,” said Haasan.

The MNM supremo stressed that he was in Karnataka on behalf of the people. Commenting on his role in attempts to solve the dispute, Haasan said, “I can be the squirrel and I can be the bridge. You want me to be the slipper that people walk on? I am willing to be that. I come here as an individual, not as the leader of my party.”

Reacting to a question on the possibility of Haasan and Kumaraswamy, who was a filmmaker before turning to politics, coming together for a movie, the Karnataka CM said, “If needed politically we can start a new chapter.”

Both Kumaraswamy and Haasan brushed aside questions on Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce’s (KFCC) decision to ban Rajinikanth’s ‘Kaala’ in the state.

Rajinikanth had on 20 May said it was Karnataka’s duty to obey the orders of the Supreme Court, which had on 3 May directed the state to release at least 2 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu.

In response, Kumaraswamy had invited the 67-year-old Tamil cine legend to visit Karnataka and see the condition of the dams.