Kamal Haasan says goodbye to 'Ulaganayagan,' following Ajith Kumar’s lead

Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan has long been celebrated as "Ulaganayagan," Tamil for "a universal hero." This honorary title was given to highlight his versatility across all crafts of filmmaking and his unrivalled achievements in cinema. Just days after his 70th birthday, however, Kamal has decided to relinquish the title, which he feels projects him above every other member of the cast and crew in his films.

"I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude over being bestowed with endearing titles such as Ulaganayagan, among others. Such accolades, given by the people and recognized by esteemed colleagues and admirers, have always been humbling, and I've been genuinely moved by your love in conferring it upon me," he said.

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Reflecting on the collaborative nature of filmmaking, he explained, "The art of cinema transcends beyond any one individual, and I am but a student of the craft, forever hoping to evolve, learn, and grow. Cinema, like any other form of creative expression, belongs to all. It is the collaboration of countless artists, technicians, and audience who make it what it is — a true reflection of humanity's diverse, rich, and ever-evolving stories."

"It is my humble belief that the artist must not be elevated above the art," he continued. "I prefer to remain grounded, constantly aware of my imperfections and my duty to improve. Hence, after considerable reflection, I feel compelled to respectfully decline all such titles or prefixes."

In his statement, he also requested, "I humbly request that all my fans, the media, members of the film fraternity, party cadre, and fellow Indians, from here on, refer to me simply as Kamal Haasan or Kamal or KH." He added, "Please know that this decision comes from a place of humility and a desire to remain true to my roots and purpose, to always be one among all of us — the lovers of this beautiful art form."

Kamal Haasan is now the second major Tamil star to relinquish an honorary title; earlier, Ajith Kumar made a similar move by asking fans and the media to stop prefixing "Thala" (meaning "chief" or "head") before his name.

Currently, Kamal is in the United States preparing for an action movie with the stunt duo Anbarivu for a project, temporarily titled "KH237." He will also appear in Mani Ratnam's upcoming film, Thug Life, slated for release in June next year.

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