 It was exactly five decades ago that the film industry saw a smart, young five-year-old lad going by the name Kamal Haasan make a quiet entry into the hallowed AVM Studios in Chennai for 'Kalathur Kannama'.
Today, he has come a long way, acting in over 150 films in various Indian languages. In his golden jubilee year in Tamil cinema, the 'Ulaganayagan' is eagerly awaiting the release of 'Unnaipol Oruvan', remake of Hindi hit 'A Wednesday'.
The movie produced by Raaj Kamal Films International in collaboration with UTV Motion Pictures brings together Kamal Haasan and Malayalam superstar Mohanlal for the first time. Directed by Chakri Toleti, the movie has musical score by Sruthi Haasan.
Says Kamal, "Terrorism is a major concern today. It is threatening to destroy our lives. The film talks about the agony and anger of an individual towards terrorism."
Noted Tamil writer Ee Raa Murugan will make his debut in the film industry as a dialogue writer, while writer Manushya Puthiran has penned the lyrics along with Kamal Haasan himself.
Kamal says, "We have opened the doors of cinema for two literary giants. Ace writer Ee Raa Murugan is making his debut as a dialogue writer, while Manushya Puthiran taking care of lyrics."
The movie was shot using state-of-the-art technology. It is canned on the famous RED camera. The film also stars Poonam, Ganesh Venkatraman, Sreeman, M S Baskar and Sivaji among others.
On sharing screen space with Mohanlal, Kamal says, "one of the great actors of our era, there was always a burning desire to act with Mohanlal. The camaraderie that we share should encourage others to cast multiple stars in their forthcoming movies."
Mohanlal, who plays a police commissioner in the movie, says, "The moment Kamal Haasan approached me to do the role, I had no hesitation in accepting it. We have been working hard to match the standards set by the original."
On opting for a remake, Kamal says, "even saint-poet Kambar was inspired by Valmiki's Ramayana. Isn't Kamba Ramayanam as good as the original? Jokes apart, whenever there are good movies in other languages, there is no harm in going in for a remake."
Chakri Toleti, who played a cameo as young photographer in Salangai Oli and more recently in Dasavatharam as Kamal's friend, says, "Directing two legends of Indian cinema is no easy task. They aim for perfection in whatever they do."
One more milestone beckons Kamal, you can say.
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