Kamal Haasan at 70: The child of cinema who refuses to grow old

Kamal Haasan turned 70 today, but he doesn’t move or speak like his age. We can only hope to be as vibrant and in shape when we reach his milestone. What does it take for someone to pursue a craft so passionately, for so long, and so well, without compromising morality, integrity, or artistic ambitions? It seems it takes more than just talent; one needs a blend of skills, and a mind as sharp as a whip to do what Kamal has done consistently for the past 65 years.

Kamal is truly a child of cinema. It’s hard to imagine anyone else more deserving of this title. He was less than five years old when he stepped in front of the camera for Kalathur Kannamma in 1960, and even then, he felt at home. Driven by a hyperactive imagination and captivated by the endless possibilities of creating thrill and excitement, that young boy immersed himself fully in the world of filmmaking. He never left that imaginary world. Determined, even stubborn, he stuck by cinema, and in return, cinema stuck by him for six and a half decades. Kamal internalized the world around him, observed it deeply, made sense of it, and transformed his understanding into beautiful pieces of art.

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The journey wasn’t easy—it was difficult, even gruelling—but Kamal never gave up. He seized every opportunity to learn, mastering every aspect of cinema he could. He learned to apply makeup, dance, play musical instruments, sing, write poems, stories, screenplays, and act. He even spent his own money to produce films he believed in. He endured failures and stumbled many times, failing repeatedly. Yet, he never gave up. He persevered on a path that he believed led to creating great cinema—not just great profits, but great films.

Kamal matured within cinema, grew into a wise man, and has inspired millions to see filmmaking as an art, not just a commercial endeavour. He remains a North Star for those who aspire to create films that fill the voids in people’s lives.

While Kamal Haasan’s body maybe 70 years old, in his heart and mind, he’s still that curious 5-year-old, exploring the endless possibilities of the make-believe world of cinema and finding joy in revealing its magic with every film he makes.

May the child within Kamal Haasan thrive and continue to inspire, forever.

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