MUMBAI: Artistes are citizens of the country who have every right to hold the authorities to account, said veteran star Kamal Haasan, admitting there is a “risk” in making films that question the government.

The actor was speaking at the trailer launch of his upcoming film “Hindustani 2: Zero Tolerance”, in which he reprises the role of Senapathy, a freedom fighter-turned-vigilante who fought against corruption in India.

Titled “Indian 2: Zero Tolerance” in Tamil, the upcoming movie is a sequel to Kamal’s hit 1996 film “Indian”, which featured him in a dual role. Shankar is returning to direct the second part in the franchise.

Asked whether it’s tough to make films that question the government today, the actor said this problem has persisted since the British era.

“People were making films even then. We will continue to make those kinds of films, it doesn’t matter who is at the top of the establishment. That’s not just the filmmaker, that’s the citizen’s right to ask those questions,” he said.

“We, as artistes, represent so many of you people. Thanks to the applause, we believe that we are your representatives, hence we talk boldly, without thinking of the guillotine. Yes, there is a risk, the government can get angry, but your applause puts out that fire, so make it louder,” Kamal told reporters here.