New Delhi: Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has urged Indians to prepare for difficult times amid the ongoing US-Iran war. He called for unity, energy conservation,
and coordinated efforts between the Centre and states to reduce the burden on citizens.
The US-Iran war has caused oil prices to rise across the globe, and it has majorly impacted India. Experts have warned that prolonged geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could directly impact fuel prices, inflation and household expenses across the country. Amid the ongoing war, fuel prices are increasing almost every week in India.
What did Kamal Haasan say?
Sharing a video message on X (formerly Twitter), he talked about the rising oil prices and disruptions in sea trade routes due to the conflict have already started impacting everyday life across the world. He warned that the prices of fuel, fertilisers and essential energy supplies are increasing rapidly.
He said in the video, “My dear fellow countrymen, today I speak to you as an Indian deeply concerned by the impact of the Iran war. Oil prices are rising, sea trade routes are blocked, the energy that powers our kitchen and homes, the fertilisers that nourish our fields and crops, the fuel that drives our industries and vehicles, all have gotten more expensive. In response, more than 60 countries have already imposed energy-saving rules.”
In the nearly six-minute address, the actor said several countries have already imposed energy-saving measures and pointed out that Singapore’s Prime Minister had also warned citizens about tough times ahead.
He added, “We recently heard Singapore’s Prime Minister asking his people to prepare for tough times ahead. We are a much larger country and our Prime Minister has asked us to save energy over the next year. In moments like this national responsibility must rise above party politics.”
India has overcome wars, shortages, and global crises before – through unity and shared sacrifice. This moment calls for the same national spirit again. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Mi56m0I4pD
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) May 22, 2026
Recalling India’s past moments of collective sacrifice, he referred to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s famous statement that “governments will come and go, but the nation shall remain.”
“During the 1962 China war we donated gold from our homes to support our soldiers fighting at the border in 1965 when India did not have enough food grains Lal Bahadur Shastriji asked citizens to skip one meal a week for the for the whole nation today India does not need such sacrifice. Surely we must do this for a country when our parents did much more,” he further added.
Kamal Haasan’s request to PM Modi
Kamal Haasan also praised the Centre’s recent efforts in expanding renewable energy infrastructure despite political differences. The actor said India’s solar and wind energy capacity has grown significantly over the last decade and welcomed investments in coal gasification, renewable and nuclear energy projects.
“As a centrist, I must acknowledge good work irrespective of my political alliances,” he stated. At the same time, the actor stressed that citizens alone should not bear the burden of the crisis. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a national summit involving all chief ministers to tackle the economic impact collectively.
He added, “Renewable and nuclear energy – these are important steps to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and gas. At the same time, sacrifice cannot be expected only from citizens.”
“Governments too must share the burden. Therefore, I request the Prime Minister to convene a national summit of all chief ministers both the central and state governments should work together to protect the common man and do two things immediately first state taxes like VAT on petrol and diesel should be reduced and secondly train metro and bus fares should also be reduced so that more people can shift away from private vehicles remember every unit of energy saved today strengthens India tomorrow and every drop of oil saved protects the poorest Indian from inflation geopolitics will affect pedestrians on the street as much as the high-flying rich. But if we face this crisis together, India will and can emerge stronger,” he concluded by saying.
