It was by pure chance that one came across the news that next week Padmashree Dr. Kamal Haasan is set to complete fifty years in cinema. It is rather shocking that one had chance upon this news which is nothing short of history. One wonders whether there is any other actor in the world who started out at 4 and is still going strong at 54. The legend and iconic status of Kamal Haasan are beyond comparison in contemporary Tamil cinema. Yet, there is no denying the possibility that his 50th anniversary in cinema might pass unnoticed and uncelebrated. There has been so little attention around the approaching landmark that this feeling is getting stronger by the day.
Why does it have to be commemorated? Some might feel. Well, there are only few things in our lives that are really worthy of celebration. There are only very few things in cinema that are worthy of celebration and when there is one such occasion, it should not be allowed to pass unattended to. Kamal’s genius, hard work and commitment are undeniable. If we do not recognize this, then there is hardly anything else in Tamil cinema that is worthy of any notice at all. By letting this landmark pass, a very wrong message might be sent to the entire younger generation at work in the industry – ‘hard work, longevity and commitment to good cinema can go unnoticed and unrewarded’. It might not be wrong to say that there have been times in the Tamil industry when Kamal Haasan has been the sole flag bearer of originality and quality when things around him were in a state of decadence. He was the one who kept reminding us during periods of deterioration that good cinema is still possible, he was the one who made Bollywood sit up and take notice of the industry down south. If this man’s life is not celebrated, then Tamil cinema and culture will be doing a great disservice unto themselves.
This is not the place to be elaborating on what Kamal has delivered for Tamil cinema. His body of work is there to be seen for everyone. So, how do we celebrate or commemorate this landmark year in his career? Well, there are different ways to do it. The latest fad that is doing the rounds in terms of recognizing people who have contributed meaningfully is giving away doctorate degrees. But, Kamal has got one by now and going by the frequency with which these degrees are being handed out, they will soon cease to have much of significance! Maybe a grand night of music and dance where the entire industry gets together to salute the legend – but we get to see such programs every weekend on TV, it wouldn’t be really unique either. We could do with something small and simple, but original and unique. Uniqueness and originality have always been the defining traits of Kamal Haasan and anything that commemorates his achievements should remains true to these traits. Perhaps a one of its kind film festival screening some of his best works over the years (it would be really hard to pick). And, considering the fact that he has been around in the industry for 50 years now, it is surprising that a definitive biography is still missing. These are times when even a 23 year old cricketer with a few wickets or runs has books written on him. This man should have had an epic written by now.
If Kamal Haasan’s 50th anniversary in films passes unnoticed, it will show Tamil cinema in poor light. For years we have enjoyed his brilliance, felt proud that such a fine craftsman belongs to the state, if we don’t celebrate the pride that is ours’ who will? Kamal is genius par excellence, commitment that peerless and vision that is unmatched. Many years down the line, we may have nothing that comes even close to Kamal to celebrate in the Tamil industry. Let us celebrate his genius when is still going great guns. There are places in the world where they build monuments for far lesser men. Let us give this man his due, let us celebrate 50 years of Kamal Haasan.
