NEWS: Building bridges Kamal Haasan-style
Frederick Noronha (FN)
By Papri Sri Raman, Indo-Asian News Service
Chennai, Aug 16 (IANS) For superstar Kamal Haasan, Independence Day was a
hard day's work. And for his fans, it was a Kamal-day all through as they
got to see their hero first on various regional channels and then in the
flesh.
Popular channels like Jaya TV and Vijay TV Friday beamed programmes
containing Kamal Haasan, for which he had to be in recording sessions for
several days.
Fielding questions from a group of engineering college students, Kamal
Haasan said: "Hindi cinema is not national cinema", at least not what
Bollywood churns out. He conceded that, "some experimentation is underway,
even in Bollywood".
"It is the best of cinema from all over India -- Bengali cinema, Malayalam
cinema -- that makes up what one can call national cinema," the actor said.
What about Tamil cinema, the second biggest film industry in India? Is Tamil
cinema of international standards?, a fan asked.
"Tamil cinema has not yet reached the highest level of national cinema,"
Kamal Haasan replied.
"Today, in south India, perhaps Malayalam films are the best," declared the
man whose latest film "Nala Damayanthi" is the only one doing fairly well in
the halls this month among a dozen new releases.
"We in India all wait for the 'right time' to make a film. So, we don't make
revolutionary films. Even 'Hey, Ram!' is not a revolutionary film," he said.
He continued: "If I had made 'Hey, Ram!' before the demolition of the Babri
masjid (in Ayodhya in December 1992), it would have been revolutionary. I
did not. I made this film only after the mosque was demolished."
"Hey! Ram" tells of a man who hatched a plot to assassinate Mahatma Gandhi.
Kamal Hassan's press conference Friday turned into a scene of chaos as
thousands of jostling fans made serpentines queues spilling over into the
next street, all wanting to shake hands with their hero, wanting a few
words, a photograph beside him.
A body-builder presented Kamal Haasan pictures of his rippling biceps, fans
with fruit baskets, garlands, flowers and shawls cheered him, an elderly man
could not control his tears because he was so happy to have held the star's
hand.
Then there were the hundreds who all had moustaches matching Kamal Haasan's.
He is growing a handlebar for his role in his forthcoming film, which was
earlier named "Sandiyar" before a controversy made the actor drop the name.
The moustache has come to be known as the "Sandiyar moustache" in Chennai.
The Tamil Nadu Kamal Haasan Fans' Association had arranged for photographers
to capture every moment, and security officials were at their wits' end.
Nevertheless, the star remained on his feet till the evening's end.
"There is nothing I don't do for popularity," a tired but determined Kamal
Haasan said.
And he had the last word, he would do it again if necessary because he was
"fulfilling a social responsibility". Also, perhaps preparing a political
platform that starts with "fan" fare and charity in box-office proportions.
--Indo-Asian News Service
Kamal Haasan distributes 10,000 kg rice
>From Indo-Asian News Service
Chennai, Aug 16 (IANS) Actor Kamal Haasan celebrated India's independence by
distributing 10,000 kg of rice to orphanages, poor homes and shelters for
the physically challenged.
"It is a 15-year tradition," a relaxed Kamal Haasan told the media Friday.
He was speaking at a press conference called by him at his office in
Rajkamal Studios in the city's crowded TTK road.
He exhorted the hundreds of fans and media persons gathered at the venue to
"do your bit for the nation".
--Indo-Asian News Service
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