Kamal Haasan candidly admits that he couldn’t have made it big in
Bollywood without his mentor K Balachander, that Hindi movies still
enthuse him and that he loves the kind of films Aamir Khan is making.
He is also proud of his daughter Shruti Haasan’s career in Tamil and
Hindi movies as she has made a place for herself without his banner’s
support.
Excerpts from the interview.
Q: Are you enthused by Hindi cinema?
A: Yes, some of it. I am very happy Aamir Khan is now attempting
films that should’ve been done 10 years ago in Hindi. People attribute
this new cinema to the entry of corporate houses in Hindi cinema. But
where were these corporate houses when Hrishida (Hrishikesh Mukeherjee)
made his films, and Gulzar bhai made Achanak? Brilliant films are
possible in every corner of India and at any time.
Q: Your daughter Shruti has made a career both in the Tamil and Hindi film industry.
A: I’m proud of her because she isn’t doing a
product of our home banner Rajkamal Films. The only thing Rajkamal did for her was to give her a chance to do the background
score in Unnaipol Oruvan. It wouldn’t matter to me if she failed as an actress. But right now it
looks like a winning streak.
Q: Do you advise her on her choice of films?
A: No. When we talk career, we get into an argument. In Hindi films,
she is facing the same problems I did. If a K Balachander hadn’t come
along to do Ek Duuje Ke Liye with me in Hindi, I wonder what would’ve
happened to me! I would have suffered much worse because Shruti is far
more savvy than me.
Q:Woul you like to act in a film with her?
A: Shruti has been telling me that we should. But I don’t want her to do it just for the heck of it. She is a star now.
I want her to act in one of our home productions for the glory of our banner.
By the way, for the Tamil version of Dasavatharam, she was my coach
for my American accent. She had just returned from the US and was the
perfect
medium to help her
father’s Madrasi accent transform into a yankee one. She was a bully.
She made me do many retakes in the dubbing. And after dubbing, she
wanted me to correct some more of my accent. Eveyyone thought that was
taking it a little too far(laughs).
Q: Does your younger daughter Akshara plan to star in films as weel??
A: Every time Akshara
stands behind the camera and says, ‘this is where I want to be,’ I am reminded of myself. I started behind the camera and gradually moved to the front.
Q: You are often forced to take over troubled projects. Wouldn’t you just like to focus on acting?
A: But I was always a reluctant actor! I continue to be that. I announce a project, the camera
rolls
and I’m happy. I’m fortunate to be doing leading parts even now. For my
mentor K Balachander, I can do even a walk-on part. When he directed
his 100th film, I just walked in to do a small role. I just clowned
around on camera.
Balachander is my inspiration. He had a heart problem 40 years back.
He has been making films for another 46 years. He can never grow old. My
father used to be like that until he suffered
a stroke.
Then I suddenly realized he was an old man.That’s also true of my
brothers Chandra Haasan and to an extent Charu Haasan. I can never
imagine them being old.
Q: Your brother-in-law Mani Ratnam too had a heart scare recently?
A: He is a cool cat. I was surprised when he had a heart
problem…People think my film with Mani, Nayagan, is my best work. To an
extent it’s true. But I’d like to think my best is yet to come.
Q: Another film with Mani Ratnam?
A: We keep discussing ideas…We spoke again on my birthday when he came
visiting. He wanted to know what it felt like acting, producing and directing (Viswaroopam) all at once.
Q: What does it feel like?
A: Direction is a lot of responsibility. But if you’ve been trained
under Balachander as I have, it’s a lot easier. You have everything down
on paper before you start shooting. By now while directing I am
experienced enough to know my moves.
Q: What next?
A: There was one character Balram Naidu, a research analyst from Dasavatharam, who became very popular. His
speech
and personality have become iconic. He was also played by Sanju Bhai
(Dutt) in a Hindi film (Chatur Singh 2 Star). So yes, I am returning to
comedy.
Then someone wants me
to play Tipu Sultan. My hibernating historical Marudanayagam is still talked about.
Q: But Tipu Sultan is a controversial figure.
A: We aren’t taking the political angle at all. Tipu Sultan is now being researched and written.
