On His Birth Anniversary
हम बने तुम बने एक दूजे के लिये
उस को क़सम लगे जो बिछड़ के इक पल भी जिये
हम बने तुम बने एक दूजे के लिये
A. V. Meiyappan (AVM Productions) gave Kamal Hasan a break as a child and his performance in the debut Tamil film “Kalathur Kannamma” (1960) earned him a President medal, then aged Six. As a child he worked in few films, later graduating into an actor of yore. AVM produced many hit social films like- ‘Main Chup Rahungi’, ‘Bhabhi’, ‘Meharban’, ‘Pooja ke Phool’ & ‘Chhaya’ to name some.
Kamal Hasan, as said in the above paragraph, later became a force to reckon with in the Tamil film industry. He was introduced to Hindi cinema buffs in “Ek Duje Ke Liye” (1981) opposite Rati Agnihotri. The film was liked by the cine goers & critics alike for its inter – caste love theme. He later worked in “Saagar” , “Chachi 420” & “Hey Ram” .
His role as a rebellious lad in ‘Apoorva Raagangal’ brought him into limelight. He plays one who falls for an older woman. It was followed by ‘Moondram Pirai’ (1982) earning him his first Indian National Film Award. It revolves around a sincere school teacher who rescues a woman with retrograde amnesia from a brothel, protects & helps her recover her loss of memory. Directed by Balu Mahendra, the film stars Sridevi as the woman whom Kamal Haasan rescues. The film enjoyed a theatrical run of over a year and received critical acclaim from various quarters. The film won two National Film Awards: Best Actor for Haasan, and Best Cinematography for Mahendra. The film also won Filmfare (South) Award for director Balu Mahendra besides several State Awards.
Mahendra later ventured to make ‘Moondram Pirai’ in Hindi titled “Sadma” (1983) featuring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and Silk Smitha reprising their roles. I watched both versions on my laptop to be fully acquainted with the plot & the role played by Sridevi & Silk Smitha- the seductive South Sex Siren, especially in a dance sequence with Kamal Haasan on a Mountain Top. The film Bombed at the Box Office because the audience, especialy followers of Kamal Haasan, could not digest the unhappy ending with the Hero shocked & heartbroken as he watches Sridevi happily leave with her parents in a moving train.
Mani Ratnam’s “Nayakan” (1987) added another feather in his cap though the film could not be included in the list for an Oscar, presumably because of songs & their Indian style picturization seen as not commensurate with the taste of American audience. Nevertheless, the film was included among the 100 best films of all time by Time magazine.
