Vikram will be a memorable film in my career and I'm sure about it: Kamal Haasan

Among the big stars, Kamal Haasan has always gone the extra mile to promote his films. The actor-politician has been touring across the country to promote his upcoming action-thriller, Vikram, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj.

Reflecting upon his career spanning around six decades, Kamal Haasan, explained his love for cinema, at a recently-held press conference. "I don't think one can equate acting with work. I’d not say I work, because I have been on a holiday for the past 35 years. Otherwise, I write, direct or produce films. I do what I love doing!”

Kamal Haasan added he is fortunate to have a career in something he's extremely passionate about. "I sign a film with the same amount of love (I have) while signing an autograph."

Recalling his association with the likes of MGR, Sivaji Ganesan and the legendary filmmaker K Balachander, Kamal Haasan said he has had some of the best teachers one could get. "People queue up outside the engineering colleges, selling half their money to become a doctor or an engineer. But, for a school dropout (like me), education not only came for free but also I was paid for it. Those were the kinds of teachers I had.”

Kamal Haasan said he’d always be grateful to K Balachander, for having chiselled the actor in him. “I befriended my mentor and went on to assist him. That was the best phase in my life. I have done 36 films with him, which, according to me, very few actors have done in India."

This is not the first time Kamal Haasan was doing a multi-starrer. Speaking about his experience of working with powerhouse performers, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil in Vikram, the actor said, he equally learnt from them. “I wanted to direct them too. They are such refined actors. On the sets, there was someone who would (always) do it better than me. We've made a good film, and I am proud of it. Vikram will be a memorable film in my career. I am sure it will stay in the minds of people for, at least, a decade.”

Ulaganayagan remembered the times Hindi movies were shot in Chennai. “I have seen Shammi Kapoor Saab here. Also, I have seen Mohammad Rafi Saab at the AVM Studios; sing. Today, when I relive those moments, it feels surreal.”

Kamal Haasan, further, spoke about the challenges involved in dubbing a film in other languages. The process of dubbing is important, he emphasises. "It is a very difficult job because the dialogues are written keeping the original script in mind. And, when you dub, it should be perfect (in other languages as well)."

He went on to say how he made two versions of Hey Ram, 22 years ago. “It is not that I'm not open to making a dual-language film. But, there are constraints and risks when you do that,” he concluded.

Vikram will hit the screens on June 3.