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Kamal's film for Pongal

Kamal Hassan's yet untitled film, formerly 'Sandiyar' is heading for a climax. Literally a cheerful Kamal Hassan met the media on his birthday, November 7, at his office in Chennai. Looking unfazed by the controversy and somewhat relaxed, he said his film was ready and all that remained to shoot was the climax.

The actor, whose office was besieged by a large number of fans, patiently shook hands and posed for photographs with them, while the busy TTK Road was choked with traffic.

So, what will the film be called?

"I haven't decided yet. And I don't really have to. I can wait till the film goes to the censors (ha ha)."

When is the audio cassette being released?

"Yeah, you have a point there. I suppose the title of the film will have to be announced with the cassette. So may be, you will know at the end of the month, for that is when the cassette will be out."

What are you going to call it? What is the name of the character that you are playing?

"Veerapandi."

So, why not Sandiyar (in small letters) and Veerapandi (in bold) -- this was a question/suggestion from a friendly mediaperson.

"No Sandiyar, whether big or small. I have already decided not to use it in any form.
I can call it anything, even Sakalakala Vallavan 2, which I had said before. I was even toying with the idea of calling it 'Kamal 2004' (Laughter). But then I realised that it was more in anger than out of wisdom. But you know what, a film's name does not really matter. A film which Rajni is working on is called Rajni film, a film starring Dhanush is called Dhanush film, so my film will be known as Kamal film."

Are you going to call it Krishnasamy (Puthiya Tamizhagam leader)? (Laughter all round) 

"Kozhuppa (conceit mixed with arrogance)? No way."

However, Kamal turned the tables on the mediapersons when he asked them what name they had given to his film? Several said they were still calling it Sandiyar.

A gleeful Kamal then said, "Nobody can take away that title. I have changed it but the name has stuck in everyone's mind. Perhaps, it will be always known as Sandiyar."

Why didn't you stick to the name? Haven't you surrendered to the forces opposing you by changing it?

"There was no question of surrender. I realised later that Thevar Magan was not an apt title, and I regretted using it, although I find that caste is there everywhere in politics, at the time of selecting candidates, during the elections, and elsewhere. I'm not in politics but I'm a positive person. I don't want to cling on to something and force it on some people if they feel hurt by the name. I want everyone to see my film, and I don't want to hurt anyone. I bear no caste marks. Everyone knows that I don't use caste for anything and I hate it. Even for that matter, I wouldn't hate Brahmins though I am against Brahminism. I belong to no caste and I am not against any caste. That's the way I've always been. Everyone knows it."

"However, I do feel that we film-makers too have freedom of speech and expression just like the media."

Then, why did you agree to change the name?

"There was no compromise there with the basic issues. If the name could hurt some people, I thought I need not have it. The name is not important. But if I was asked to change the content, I would have never agreed. There can be no compromise on that. I can fight to any extent on matters like content. Even in the case of Hey Ram, there was a tussle with the censors but I never gave up."

On the music by Ilayaraja?

"It is great. I'm not saying this because the music is for my film or because I'm a big fan of Ilayaraja. Fact is that I find his music for this film is his best work so far."

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Plans for the next movie?

"I'm always working on several projects. I'm discussing with Singeetham a project which may be called 'Krishna Leela'."

He then went out to meet up with his fans. They stood patiently in serpentine queues which stretched to over 1,000 yards and went out to the pavements in front of his house, watched by a police force. The policemen might have been more useful where he needed them the most -- in Theni!

R Rangaraj