Why Does Kamal Haasan Consider Himself a Student of Cinema?

Synopsis
In a fascinating dialogue, Tamil cinema icon Kamal Haasan shares his insights on the ever-evolving world of cinema, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning. Join him as he prepares for the release of his latest film, 'Thug Life', and reflects on the transformative power of cinema.
Key Takeaways
- Kamal Haasan continues to embrace his journey as a student of cinema.
- With rapid advancements, he finds it essential to keep learning.
- The upcoming film ‘Thug Life’ marks a significant reunion with Mani Ratnam.
- Cinema has transformed into a language and means of communication.
- He believes that understanding and evolving with cinema is essential for relevance.
Mumbai, May 31 (NationPress) The legendary figure of Tamil cinema, Kamal Haasan, is gearing up for the launch of his new film ‘Thug Life’. Despite his extensive experience, the actor remains committed to being a student of cinema.
Having made his debut as a child artist at just six years old, Kamal has evolved in front of the audience throughout his career.
In a recent conversation with IANS, Kamal expressed that with the rapid advancements in cinema, he believes the most secure position is to continue learning rather than teaching.
He stated, “Cinema is evolving so quickly, and with so many new tools emerging, the only safe place is to remain a student and refrain from teaching. Our beliefs and ideas might face challenges, yet we must hold on to them as we are the custodians of this era and these concepts. We embody them.”
He added, “There’s no shame in it. To me, Mr. K. A. Asif stands on par with Mr. Satyajit Ray. They are two distinct filmmakers.”
In ‘Thug Life’, Kamal will reunite with Mani Ratnam after nearly 40 years, the last collaboration being in ‘Nayakan’ in 1987. Over the past 38 years, India has undergone significant transformations, including economic liberalization, major political shifts, and the rise of television and diverse cinema. The veteran actor has previously noted that amidst all these changes, cinema has evolved into a language and a means of communication.
Earlier, Kamal told IANS, “Cinema has become a language. We may not know how fluent we are, but we use it. And we are getting better. We’ve shed the awkwardness of our earlier styles, but we remain a work in progress.”
‘Thug Life’, produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, R. Mahendran, and Siva Ananth, is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2025.