On March 25, Kamal participated in the audio / trailer launch function of Pasanga, as announced earlier. But the pleasant surprise was that it turned out to be a memorable event for all-round camaraderie.

Ameer, who received the trailer from Kamal, set the tone with his open idolisation of Kamal. Kamal responded with modesty, while also using the opportunity to talk about Tamil movies in general, need for separate ‘XXX’ movies and even Slumdog Millionaire. Sasikumar was brief yet effective. Balamuralikrishna also added his bit. Watch the video of the delightful speeches on IndiaGlitz. The above video from SivajiTV.com and the one on ChennaiOnline are shorter versions of Kamal’s speech.

Read reports from Sify.com, MSN, Behindwoods, IndiaGlitz, Webdunia, Galatta.com, ChennaiOnline, Dinathanthi, Nakkheeran and TamilCinema.com.

Extensive photos are available from Behindwoods, IndiaGlitz, Galatta.com, Chennai 365 (1 | 2), KollywoodToday.com and Nakkheeran.

[With inputs from Ananth]

[Picture courtesy: BehindWoods]

Media is hungry for news and movies, especially the small ones, are cashing in. While it may seem like information overload for us, we don’t complain when Kamal is involved!

The latest example are photos and accompanying news of Kamal being invited for the audio launch of Pasanga, produced by Sasikumar of Subramaniapuram fame. During the function on March 25, Kamal will receive the CD from Carnatic music great Balamuralikrishna, while also releasing the trailer.

Along with Sasikumar, we can also see Pandiraj, the director, and James Vasanthan, the music director, in these photos.

More photos are at Behindwoods, IndiaGlitz, Chennai365 and Galatta.com. Read reports from Sify.com, Behindwoods and KollywoodToday.com.

[With inputs from Ananth]

[Picture courtesy: BehindWoods]

On February 21, Kamal launched Siripoli, the sister channel of Kalaignar TV that focusses on comedy. While he casually joined singers on the stage with his “Panneer pushpangale…” (Aval Appadithaan), he was serious while rejecting the term ‘Kollywood’ during his speech.

The event received coverage from Sify.com (photos), Thatstamil, Galatta.com (photos) and Dinathanthi.

[With inputs from Ananth]

Last month, Kamal took the time to inaugurate Milan, the cultural festival of SRM University in Chennai. He spoke to a packed audience of students, with candour and friendly advice. Watch it on Sivaji TV.

Some fans managed to get in and click away. Apart from the above photo from Surajram, we have others from Ashwin.

More photos can be seen at Behindwoods, KollywoodToday.com and ChennaiOnline. Reports are available from The Hindu, The Times of India, Dinamani, Behindwoods, IndiaGlitz and ChennaiVision.com.

[With inputs from Ananth]

[Picture courtesy: Surajram, BehindWoods]

Prabhu’s daughter Aishwarya got married to her cousin Kunal, both grandchildren of the late Sivaji Ganesan. Kamal’s proximity to the family is known and he was present in the festivities.

While Gautami and the children attended both the reception and the wedding ceremony, Kamal was there only for the latter. Check out more photos on Sify.com, Behindwoods and IndiaGlitz and read reports on Behindwoods, Dinathanthi and Thatstamil. As usual, Kamal was seen sitting alongside Rajnikanth.

Kamal earlier attended the wedding reception of Rajeev Shah, son of Bharat Shah. One would remember that Bharat Shah was involved with Hey Ram. Kamal went alone to this function. Go and catch photographs from the event at NDTV, IndiaGlitz and NowRunning.com.

[With inputs from Ananth]

[Picture courtesy: BehindWoods]

Unfortunately, the string of deaths of prominent film personalities associated with Kamal continues into 2009. Veteran actor Nagesh passed away on January 31 and Kamal bid an unusually emotional farewell to him. As can be seen from the photos here, Kamal was in tears, treating the death as a personal loss. Watch the video on IndiaGlitz. Also check out their photos and those from Behindwoods, Sify.com and Chennai365.

The mutual admiration society of Nagesh and Kamal is well-known. Over the past two decades, Kamal consistently included him in his movies, with a wide range of characters from the chief villain in Apoorva Sagodharargal to a dead body in Magalir Mattum. Nagesh won possibly his only National Award for Nammavar. Rightfully, his last movie was Dasavathaaram.

Read reports from Express Buzz, Sify.com, News Today (1 | 2), Behindwoods, IndiaGlitz, Thatstamil (1 | 2), Dinamalar, Dinathathi and Nakkheeran to know more about their association.

Kamal will also participate in a condolence function organised by the actors’ association, about which we will hear more soon.

[With extensive inputs from Ananth]

[Picture courtesy: BehindWoods]

Looking back at the past gives us a different and often wholesome perspective of events. It helps one derive confidence from accomplishments, learn from mistakes and recharge for a fresh new year. In our case, of course, we’re looking at Kamal’s 2008. To call this year eventful would probably be an understatement.

Dasavathaaram

The biggest event of the year was, obviously, the release of Dasavathaaram. In preparation for over 2 years, the movie released on June 13 to a overwhelming response, after many announced and rumoured dates (April 10, April 17, June 6).

The publicity build-up was slow and steady, unlike the bombardment of Aalavandhaan. In fact, many were wary of the hype being reminiscent of the 2001 failure. However, the reality matched or surpassed the expectations. Stills and the trailer were put out in a carefully phased manner to create excitement while not revealing too much about the movie. Here’s the progression: Avtar Singh in mid-air -> muscular Nambi in action -> Govind in lab -> miscellaneous ones before the audio release -> more stills along with the trailer -> miscellaneous ones shortly before the release. Actually, the buzz hit top gear with the release of the fast-paced trailer. Both the trailer and the public analysis that followed had a taste of things to come. The trailer had literally-blink-and-miss flashes of the ten roles and fans caught it.

In between all these came the high-profile audio release function featuring Jackie Chan and Amitabh Bachchan among others. After a painful gap (that was worth the wait ultimately), the movie arrived to a rousing reception. The media coverage was unprecedented. After the movie quickly reached blockbuster proportions, the ten characters were officially revealed.

The movie generated unparalleled reactions in the real and online worlds. Whether it was movie folks or bloggers, the excitement was infectious. The vibrations even rocked Google. But ultimately, the box-office spoke loudly and records were shattered all around.

Marmayogi & More

Even as Dasavathaaram was on the way, we heard of Marmayogi. Everything seemed to be proceeding well like a typical Kamal movie while problems with Pyramid Saimira, the co-producer, were rumoured. Again, things seemed back on track and news about cast and crew resumed flowing. Finally, the movie hit a roadblock citing the global economic meltdown as the reason. With no confirmation yet, along with a mention of Thalaivan Irukkindraan, the fate of the movie hangs in balance, even as there is revelation of Pyramid Saimira running into all kinds of trouble.

Interviews

Kamal’s interviews are always a delight to watch or read. He always manages to make each one interesting, while also revealing something new about himself. This year was loaded with many of them, especially as a by-product of Dasavathaaram’s promotion. Check out the top quotes below before diving into the year’s best for S (Sathyam Cinemas magazine), Hindustan Times / The Times of India, DNA / BusinessOfCinema.com, Mumbai Mirror and The Times of India.

The best part is that the producer was smiling at the start of the film and he still is smiling when it’s complete - which is very rare.

Just making Dasavathaaram alone would not have been sufficient; a release pattern like this combined with the product is what is making it work so well…Never before has a Tamil film been released on this scale.

I don’t know what I did right, but I hope I can do it again.

Both the times when you separated from your wives, there was another woman involved. Sarika led to your split with Vani and Simran caused a rift between Sarika and you.
Unless it’s a gay marriage, there’s always another woman involved.

Ten roles, isn’t he increasingly becoming self-indulgent in his films? “Who isn’t,” asked Kamal defensively. “Aren’t great actors like Yusuf saab and Amitabh self-indulgent? Who else should I love more than me? Brad Pitt?”

I have spent 500 hours doing make up itself and it takes a lot of perseverance and belief in what you are doing to keep doing it. If I spent that much time inside a cockpit I would be a successful commercial pilot.

“…There is a downside to everything. If we take ourselves too seriously, we actors will definitely need a psychiatrist.”

From the perspective of international standards, money and talent is being invested in the right direction and I feel that in two years from now nothing called Bollywood will exist.

To me the ascent of man in itself is a mind-boggling thing. And Darwin’s theory is something I believe to an extent. In fact, if somebody asks me what gothram I am, I always joke and say Darwin gothram. What I do try is to keep fit. For ultimately it is the survival of the fittest.

“…I am deeply hurt by what is happening around in the name of religion. I personally feel, whenever there is a crisis, God becomes a mere witness. I am happy with my decision,” he explains.

“…Spirituality makes you rest, makes you content. I will only settle down when I am in a coffin, under the earth or inside the fire. Till then I will keep myself active and alive…”

The other unusual interview was on books in the Tamil magazine Puthagam Peshudhu.

Social Service

Kamal is known for promoting social service through his fans’ association (Narpani Iyakkam). This year too, he kept the ball rolling with donation of exam kits to needy students in March and ceiling fans to orphanages in July. But the bigger involvement was as brand ambassador of Hridaya Ragam, the effort of the World Malayalee Council to conduct free paediatric heart surgeries.

Fans

Speaking of fans, there was quite a bit of activity on that front too. Kamal held a photo session for fans in February, like the previous year , and also felicitated some on the occasion. For his birthday, he discouraged celebrations on account of the Srilankan Tamils’ problem.

On the association front, there was some strong action. Key officials including the chief, R Gunaseelan, were sacked in August, for apparent misconduct.

At a smaller level, Arif, a fan from Kerala, declared his love for Kamal through a music video titled Avatharam.

Death of Colleagues

This year was, unfortunately, also big in terms of the passing away of many of his colleagues, one of them really close. That was Sujatha Rangarajan the writer. Kamal sent out a touching condolence message. Others were CV Sridhar, the director and MN Nambiar, the veteran actor.

Honouring Seniors

KM Aadimoolam, the famous artist, too passed away this year. Kamal released a biography of his and paid homage.

While paying respects to the departed was essential, Kamal did not miss honouring the living too. Manorama celebrated her 50 years in the movie field and Kamal was there to felicitate her.

Events

There were two protests held by the Tamil film industry this year, in the form of fasts. In April, it was for the Cauvery-Hogenakkal problem and then we had the one in November for the sake of Srilankan Tamils. At both places, Kamal shined as one of the sanest voices.

Towards the end of the year, Kamal participated in quite a few events related to film appreciation and production. In addition to being the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, he took part in a seminar on UK-India collaboration and the Indian Screenwriters Conference.

Audio release functions have become major launch pads for movies these days. Kamal graced quite a few in 2008 including Kodaikanal, Jayamkondaan and A Aa E Ee.

There were the customary wedding functions too. We had a whole lot of them in fact — Sibiraj, Prabhu’s daughter, Sarathkumar’s niece, Vairamuthu’s son, Senthil’s son, Professor Ku. Gnanasambandhan’s daughter, Mohan Natarjan’s daughter, Ahathian’s daughter and Arvind Krishna / Shreya Reddy.

Controversies

Controversies have been hounding Kamal, especially for the past few years. This year, we had the anti-Hindu allegations against Dasavathaaram, which was ultimately quashed in court.

Then there were the insiders, former associates, in fact. Bharathiraja, the great director of the past and the blabber-mouth of the present, attacked Dasavathaaram first and later Kamal’s acting skills. The grapes turned sour for Saran, another director coincidentally. After losing out on the opportunity to work with Kamal, Saran accused him of not returning advance money. Kamal watched in typical silence as both controversies died out.

Personal Life

There were no significant developments on the personal front. But we got to know a bit more of him this year, first as a father in Shruti’s music performance at the Rolling Stones India launch and then as a companion through an interview of Gautami.

Blasts from the Past

This year, we had quite a few interesting peeks into Kamal’s past. The long-kept secrets of Kamal’s dwarf act in Apoorva Sagodharargal (Appu Raja) were mostly let out by its director, Singeetham Sreenivasa Rao. As for the long-pending Marudhanayagam, after the trailer on the Internet in late 2006, came a few fantastic stills featuring Kamal. Also, we had a blog post on Kamal’s days in drama.

[Picture courtesy: BehindWoods]

Kamal was the star attraction at the Indian Screenwriters Conference (ISC) held in Mumbai, on November 13 and 14. In fact, it seemed like he was the lone person from the bottom half of India! Kamal promised to hold a similar conference in South India in March.

Organized by Film Television Institute of India (FTII) based in Pune, the conference featured leading names like Govind Nihalani, Amol Palekar, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Rajkumar Hirani and Abbas Tyrewala. Kamal chaired one of the 10 sessions, titled “The uniqueness of the Indian script”. A first-hand report on PassionForCinema blog throws light on his charisma and sense of humour at the event. Ananda Vikatan has reported that students thronged him, especially praising him for Dasavathaaram.

Sify.com has put up a video of Kamal answering questions from reporters. Eros Entertainment too has a video news snippet on YouTube — Kamal is featured at the start and the end. Read a formal report from The Hindu. Check out photos at Bollywood Movie News Desi Blog, MastiOne.com and HamaraPhotos.

[Updated 21 Dec 2008: Included video from Sify.com]

[With inputs from Ananth]

Kamal was invited to be the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) this year, in Panaji (Goa). He presented the awards to the winners including Tulpan (from Kazakhstan) for the best film. He spoke in his inimitable style, referring to the Mumbai terror strike, saying that life must go on. Read reports from The Hindu, The Times of India, The Asian Age and Media Newsline.

Earlier, he also had the honour of felicitating K Balachander, his mentor, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Daijiworld.com featured excellent photographs of both events. You can see his new get-up, with a ravishing hair-style and a trimmed beard, a glimpse of which we already caught at Nambiar’s mourning.

I have heard that Kamal used to frequent IFFI in the 80s to catch movies of the world. Times have changed and now he can probably watch them at home. But it is a privilege to be the Chief Guest at the very festival he used to go to as a visitor.

[With inputs from Ananth]

As blogged earlier, Kamal participated in the fast organized by the Tamil actors’ association (Nadigar Sangam) to protest against the military attacks on Tamils in Srilanka. In his speech, Kamal was as mature as ever and displaying world view. He put across his views crisply.

Read reports from Sify.com, News Today, Behindwoods (1 | 2), ChennaiOnline.com, The Times of India, Dinamalar, Dinathanthi, Webdunia, TamilCinema.com and Maalaisudar. Check out photos from Sify.com, Behindwoods, KollywoodToday.com and IndiaGlitz. The latter has videos too, including that of Kamal’s speech.

[With extensive inputs from Ananth]

[Picture courtesy: BehindWoods]