Fitting tribute to actor Kamal

In a fitting tribute to actor Kamal Haasan for entering 50th year in film career, the Tamil film industry would be coming together for staging a three-phase event spread across Tamilnadu which would culminate in a mega star nite in Chennai in the second week of September.

Vijay TV has taken up the responsibility of organising the celebration under the theme of Ulaganayagan Kamal Aimbathu. Spread over three phases, the celebration would begin with the flagging off a branded bus which would visit various places across Tamilnadu and in Bangalore. A photo exhibition would be in display at the bus for the visitors to have a glimpse of the long film journey of the versatile actor. A scroll campaign would be taken up in which artistes, technicians and directors would sign and express their good wishes to Kamal Haasan. During the phase-2 of the event, a literary meet (patti mandram) on the topic of Thamizhum Kamalum would be organised in Madurai that would see the participation of scholars and film connoisseurs on how Kamal's films had used the big screen to enhance the value of Tamil usage in the society. During the same time, a musical nite would be staged in Coimbatore with top playback singers rendering hit songs of the actor for a live performance in front of a huge audience. Back in Chennai, a film  festival on Kamal Haasan would be conducted for three weeks in partnership with Sathyam Cinemas. On its part, Vijay TV would telecast the biography of the actor in a 16-episode series that would go on air from 31 August 2009 in prime time slot. Speaking at a curtain raiser to the month-long event on Sunday, South Indian Film Artistes Association (SIFAA) president Sarath Kumar informed the mega event in Chennai would be entirely different from earlier programmes with a mix of unusual kits and lively innovations on stage. Recalling his association with Kamal Haasan during the shoot of Mahanadhi, director Cheran said working as assistant director with the actor was an 'unforgettable experience' for him. Director A R Murugadoss said Kamal's achievement in film industry was a proud moment for every Tamilian. Not one to ever cease learning the actor has performed extraordinary feats in some of his outstanding films, said TV anchor Yuhi Sethu. Sharing her experience with the matinee icon, actress Kushboo recalled that Kamal used to do his homework before shooting for a new film project. 'The actor lives, eats and sleeps cinema. Whenever Kamal travels abroad, it is always for his passion for cinema. He is quite popular in Western countries too,' she said. Commenting on the slew of programmes being organised by Vijay TV Kamal Haasan through a video link said 50 years of his film career was not a personal achievement, but a joint effort in which lot of directors, production houses and technicians were involved. 'There are many stakeholders in my 50 years of film career. Looking back, I feel much is yet to be achieved by me and this is certainly not a twilight period for me as an actor,' he said. Moreover, the actor expressed thanks to media persons including TV channels who have now and then pointed to his mistakes without hurting him personally that helped in his overall growth in the film industry. Renaming road to fete Kamal? During his speech, director Murugadoss recalled the words of Kamal Haasan who had said that the film industry had failed to bestow the honour due to a lion like actor Sivaji Ganesan during his lifetime. 'At least during the lifetime of Kamal, another legend in his own right, film industry should rename Eldams Road in which Kamal resides as Kamal Haasan Salai,' he said. Taking  cue from the young director, Nadigar Sangam president Sarath Kumar said the film body would discuss the issue and recommend to Tamilnadu government that Eldams Road be renamed as Kamal Haasan Salai to honour the actor who has completed 50 years in cinema.