Kamal's recent declaration that he carries a 'Made in Kerala' tag with his name rose curiosity and anticipation among the audience for his next Malayalam film. He was last seen in a cameo role in the 2010 film 'Four Friends'.
Published Jul 16, 2024 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 16, 2024 | 12:18 PM
Kamal Haasan's love for Malayalam cinema: The actor recently announced that he comes with the 'Made in Kerala' tag. (X)
Kamal Haasan can be defined as a versatile ‘Indian’ actor, who has worked across industries and is a polyglot. Popular among his fans as “Ulaganayagan”, the actor has been a phenomenon who describes himself as a technician.
Interestingly, Kamal Haasan has a special love for Malayalam cinema, which is relatively small compared to other Indian film industries.
How many of us know that he acted in more than 30 Malayalam films? In fact, he did his first solo hero film in 1974 in Malayalam with Kanyakumari. The movie won him his first Filmfare Award, too. Till then, he was playing only supporting roles in Tamil films. But, with Kanyakumari, a superstar was born.
Kamal Haasan has an astonishing command over the Malayalam language rather than any non-Tamil language. Indeed, he conversed with the media in Malayalam during the Indian 2 promotions in Kochi. It was at this event that the pan-India actor declared that he carries a “Made in Kerala” tag with his name, underscoring his connection with Kerala and Malayalam cinema.
Interestingly, in a very recent development, the superstar has been given honourary membership in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). This move by the Kerala actor’s body emphasises his connection with the Malayalam industry, which has been an integral part of his film career.
Kamal Haasan always appreciated the emphasis on storytelling and character development in Malayalam films. (X)
Kamal Haasan made headlines when he appreciated three recent Malayalam releases. These include Manjummel Boys, which ran successfully in all South Indian states and ended up being an all-time blockbuster by grossing over ₹200 crore globally.
After watching the flick, the veteran actor interacted with the cast and crew of Manjummel Boys at his Chennai office. The film pays rich tribute to Kamal’s 1991 flick Guna and the popular “Kanmani Anbodu” song from the cult movie.
Kamal also watched director Blessy’s Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life), featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Amala Paul in the lead roles. The veteran actor was all praise for its technical aspects. He also showered praises on Prithviraj stating that he didn’t expect the actor to go nude in a pivotal scene.
In May, Kamal Haasan watched Thalavan, headlined by Asif Ali and Biju Menon and directed by Jis Joy. Impressed with the investigative thriller, he invited team Thalavan to Chennai and lauded their efforts.
Despite his packed schedule (with films and politics), Kamal Haasan took some time out to watch these movies, which underlined his love for Malayalam cinema.
Needless to say, he is a superstar in Tamil cinema. However, Kamal always maintained a strong connection with Malayalam cinema. This became evident, time and again, from his previous statements about Malayalam films.
During the Vishwaroopam promotions in 2013, Kamal Haasan announced that he has a special affinity for Malayalam cinema and learned a lot from his colleagues in the industry. He also praised the work of Malayalam filmmakers and actors while describing them as the “most talented technicians in the country”.
Kamal Haasan acted in 20 Malayalam films during 1972-78. (X)
He revealed that he enjoys the laid-back and relaxed working atmosphere in the Malayalam industry when compared to its Tamil counterpart. Kamal also appreciated the emphasis on storytelling and character development in Malayalam films, which he felt was lacking in some Tamil movies.
Further, the actor urged the filmmakers in Kerala to keep the flag flying high since the whole country was watching the marvellous films being made in Malayalam.
In another instance, during a round table discussion hosted by Film Companion, Kamal Haasan dwelt at length about the dark phase in Malayalam cinema. He observed that the Malayalam film industry tried to compete with the Tamil and Telugu industries and lost its grain and the OG thing. He also blamed the OTT and censors for the dark phase.
The Indian (1996) actor recollected how impressed he was with the release of Nirmalyam (1973), directed by MT Vasudevan Nair. He said he saw it several times and went back to the theatre because it taught him cinema.
During the promotions of Kalki 2989 AD in San Diego, Kamal said, “If it’s a complicated technical issue, we might have to take a break for logistical reasons. I come from Malayalam cinema, a small industry where it’s one long-distance run. We finish the shooting in three weeks and hence, everyone gears up for that. It sometimes exceeds 12 hours of work in a day. I come from that school. We have larger lungs, we run for longer distances.”
He was quite active in the Malayalam industry from 1972 to 1978 when he acted in around 20 movies (more than the Tamil movies he did during that period). Well, this dedication won him fans among Malayalam filmmakers too.
Sadly, his career in Malayalam cinema seems to have been the least documented or least discussed.
Kamal Haasan has done over 35 films in Malayalam in his illustrious career. Ks Sethumadhavan’s Kanyakumari (1974) marked his debut as a lead actor and Rita Bhaduri’s debut in cinema. The duo won laurels for their natural style of acting.
The movie also marked the debut of veteran Malayalam actor Jagathy Sreekumar.
Kanyakumari was a box-office hit and was shot entirely in Kanyakumari and its surroundings. Kamal received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance.
With the late Rita Bhaduri in ‘Kanyakumari’. (X)
Wayanadan Thampan (1978), directed by P Chengazu Sivan, starred Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Kuthiravattam Pappu in the main roles. The Malayalam film is a folk tale dealing with a lower-caste priest named Thampan (Kamal Haasan). He is believed to have supernatural powers.
The story revolves around Thampan’s life, his struggles, and his spiritual journey. Wayanadan Thampan is considered one of the best in Kamal Haasan’s career in Malayalam cinema.
TK Rajeev Kumar’s Chanakyan (1989) featured Kamal, Urmila Matondkar, Jayaram, and Thilakan in the lead roles. Jayaram and Kamal Haasan’s close association started here.
In the movie, Johnson (Kamal) plots to assassinate the corrupt chief minister Madhava Menon. He takes the help of a mimicry artist (Jayaram) to seek his revenge.
Chanakyan was critically acclaimed and became a commercial success, though it was ahead of its time.
Madanolsavam (1987) is a romantic drama headlined by Kamal Haasan and Zarina Wahab. The film was dubbed into Tamil as Paruva Mazhai (1978) and Hindi as Dil Ka Sathi Dil (1982).
It is an unofficial remake of the English movie Love Story (1970). Kamal’s performance in the movie was well-appreciated and the song “Mada Prave Vaa” topped the chartbusters for several years.
With Sivaji Ganesan in ‘Thevar Magan’. (X)
Kamal Haasan has many friends in Malayalam cinema and these friendships demonstrate his strong connection with the industry.
He and the late Malayalam director IV Sasi were good friends. He was also friends with actress Seema, the wife of IV Sasi.
Kamal and IV Sasi collaborated on several films, including Ashirvadam (1977), Eeta (1978), and Vritham (1987), to mention a few. He also made a guest appearance in Sasi’s revolutionary film Avalude Raavukal (1978).
The actor always praised Sasi’s direction and innovative storytelling. The two shared a deep respect and admiration for each other’s work. They maintained a long-lasting friendship while supporting each other through the ups and downs of their careers.
Kamal and Seema acted together in several films. The veteran actress spoke highly of his dedication to his craft and his passion for cinema.
Kamal Haasan teamed up with the late Malayalam filmmaker Bharathan for Thevar Magan (1992), a superhit rural action drama. The movie also marked the first time a screenplay writing software was used in Tamil cinema.
Kamal Haasan and Jayaram are close friends. (X)
The actor credited Bharathan for the overwhelming success of Thevar Magan. A painter, poet, and director, Bharathan brought a unique perspective to his oeuvre.
During the Indian 2 promotions in Kochi, Kamal Haasan mentioned his love and respect for the late Malayalam actor Nedumudi Venu, who acted in Indian and Indian 2. He reiterated that Nedumudi Venu is his favourite Malayalam actor.
He fondly remembered Nedumudi Venu as one of the finest actors in Malayalam cinema and praised his ability to take on both lead and character roles.
Kamal recounted that Venu shared his health concerns during the shooting of Indian 2. He also emotionally recalled their conversations about celebrating the film’s (Indian 2) release together. But it didn’t happen due to Nedumudi Venu’s passing.
Malayalam actor Jayaram, too, is a close friend of Kamal Haasan.
A collage of stills from ‘Chanakyan’. (X)
Despite his strong association with Malayalam cinema, Kamal Haasan hasn’t done any Malayalam films for a long time. He last appeared in a cameo role in Four Friends (2010), directed by Saji Surendran.
Movie buffs in Kerala strongly feel it’s high time that the actor made a comeback in Malayalam. During the Indian 2 promotions, when the media asked him why he wasn’t doing Malayalam films, the actor replied that the negotiations were going on with producers.
Though Kamal made the statement on a lighter note, his response raised anticipation among the audience for his next Malayalam film.
“I became Kamal Haasan’s fan after watching his films like Guna, Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989), and Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990) on television. When I started watching his serious films, my mother used to talk about his previous works, which added to my fascination. When I realised he worked in Malayalam, too, I was curious,” Sajin Srijith, a film critic, told South First.
“Chanakyan is the first Malayalam movie of Kamal Haasan I watched. It influenced me as a film buff and remains one of my favourite films. My admiration for Kamal grew more after discovering his strong command over Malayalam. I find this quality quite impressive because I don’t think any other South Indian actor is so well-versed in other Indian languages. The efforts he took in this regard are second to none. I wish Kamal Haasan did more Malayalam films now,” Sajin added.
Renjith VP, a Bangalore-based Malayalee film enthusiast, observes that Kamal Haasan did impressive work in Malayalam.
Kamal recently avowed that he is ‘Made in Kerala’. (X)
“I remember watching Kamal Haasan’s Kanyakumari, Wayanadan Thampan, and Chanakyan in my childhood days. Of these, Wayanadan Thampan was a genre-breaking movie as it had unique horror elements. I would say Chanakyan is the best revenge film made in Malayalam ever. The techniques and equipment used in the film make it unique,” Renjith told South First.
Renjith recollected an old Malayalam interview, where Kamal stated that the Malayalam industry couldn’t afford him then. Nevertheless, the film lover believes Malayalam cinema can now afford Kamal Haasan and hopes to see the veteran actor in a Malayalam film soon.
Manesh Madhavan, an award-winning cinematographer in the Malayalam industry, told South First that though he watched most of Kamal Haasan’s Malayalam films, he likes Pushpaka Vimana (1987). “The silent movie boasts impressive technical aspects and brilliant performances,” he quipped, adding that he also likes Chanakyan.
Well, the thriller won critical acclaim and minted money at the box office. It enjoys a separate fan base even today.
For now, the Malayali audience awaits the release of Kamal Haasan’s Indian 3, the third instalment in the Indian franchise under the direction of Shankar.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
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