Hey Ram turns 24 — Did you know Shah Rukh Khan's selfless gesture towards Kamal Haasan?

Hey Ram stands as an indisputable masterpiece by Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan. Celebrating its 24th anniversary on Sunday , after its original release on February 18, 2000, Kamal's production house Raaj Kamal Films International marked the occasion with a trailer, revisiting the reasons why this film has attained cult classic status.

However, upon its initial theatrical release, Hey Ram did not receive the acclaim it deserved. It also faced commercial challenges, proving to be financially unsuccessful at the box office.

Remembering Shah Rukh Khan's selfless act

For Kamal Haasan, Hey Ram was a labour of love , as he not only played the lead character but also took on the roles of director, screenwriter, and producer. The production faced financial hurdles, and Kamal, having exhausted his funds, relied on the generosity of his colleagues to ensure a smooth theatrical release.

ALSO READ: Kamal Haasan at Jawan event: Shah Rukh Khan and I are like Saket Ram and Amjad Ali Khan in Hey Ram

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan played an extended cameo in Hey Ram, despite already being one of the biggest superstars in the industry. His fee, albeit high at the time, was voluntarily waived after he learned about Raaj Kamal Films International facing financial constraints.

In an earlier interview, Kamal praised Shah Rukh Khan's generosity, highlighting that he practically worked on the film for free. "When the budget ran over, he (Shah Rukh Khan) didn’t even ask for his remuneration,” he said earlier during an interview with Colors Cineplex. "Who does this? He did the film for a wristwatch."

Hey Ram's cinematic legacy

In Hey Ram, Shah Rukh Khan portrayed the character of Amjad Ali Khan, the Muslim friend of Saket Ram (Kamal Haasan). The film unfolds against the backdrop of the Partition and ensuing communal violence, depicting the profound impact on communal harmony in the country. The movie also featured Rani Mukerji, Hema Malini, and Naseeruddin Shah, among others.

ALSO READ: Kamal Haasan about Mahatma Gandhi: 'He changed the course of human history'

Hey Ram tells the story of Saket Ram, who harbours a profound resentment towards Mahatma Gandhi after losing his wife to the communal violence in the aftermath of Partition. The narrative traces his transformation from being anti-Gandhi to becoming his follower.

Hey Ram is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

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