Actor Kamal Haasan is not known to be vocal about the film industry or issues that don’t concern his movies. But the Ulaga Nayagan took an exception and spoke at length about the business of films and the need for niche Tamil films during the audio launch of debut director Pandiraj’s 'Pasanga'.

“The reason why films for kids are not being made are because of people with commercial interests in the film industry who are exactly childish,” he jokingly began, as he addressed the issue of dearth for films for children in Tamil.

But his speech was in no remark against producers. He also spoke about how essential the viewpoint of critics and the audience is, be it brickbats or bouquets. “It’s equally important that all producers, me included, are told and criticized if a movie is bad just like how we are praised if a movie is good.  The audience, likewise, have to let their preferences for films known, he said.

“If a director of good standard is rendered jobless, forced to face the walls of his house, it is doomsday for the industry and the audience,” he cautioned, adding that good films had to be encouraged.

Speaking openly against the larger-and-life portrayal of people in Tamil cinema today, the actor said the industry was getting away from reality. “Creators, me included, are making this mistake because the situation demands it. If people really want quality films and openly state it, I think it will have a positive impact,” he said.

This problem is not without a solution. “Our movies need to be segmented better. We could have exclusive XXX films to cater to those who seek only that in films. This will relieve other films from compulsions to make compromises, just to bring in every element in it,” he said, adding that this would lead to the development of an exclusive breed of films for children.

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