This post is my review of the book written by Hariharan, K. on Kamal Haasan, superstar from the south part of India.
A disclaimer before I dwell deep into the subject of his biography of his film journey, I don’t profess to have any in-depth knowledge of film doctrines and theories.
Merely from the standpoint of being a reader of literature and being a viewer of movies that please my aesthetics needs, could I then, claim to review this book.
There were moments when the author lost me in the finer points of the technique of the cinematic craft. But did I get a collection of movies that I should see, it is a resounding ‘yes!’
Book Title: Kamal Haasan: A Cinematic Journey
Written By: Hariharan, K.,
Publisher: Harper Collins (10 July 2024)
Indian Cinema and Multiple Viewer Choices
Pan-India Films are all monolithic work of art that cater to different and diverse film viewer’s need for entertainment.
Compared to western movies, Indian movies are three hours wonder. The most improbable things can happen in the three hours of entertainment.
Now the logic behind certain occurrence are purely for sentiments and belief in the suspended moment of action.
Our songs and dance sequence cannot be separated from our movies. The entire story plot and narrative follow some preordained format.
But then, there are some serious movies which get categorised under art movies. Strike a balance between commercial movies and art movies depends on the subject matter handling.
Growing Audience and Change in Movies
Socio-Political movies of the past are slowly replaced by entertainment centric-movies. The old days expectation of a movie providing a general and specific message, is replaced for suspension of reality.
The movies are scaling up to using VFX and other technological elements in their making. The final product that gets screened in theatres are a composite whole of a dedicated team of professionals in the media department.
Whenever, a Kamal Haasan movie turns up in the theatres and multiplex there are expectation from the audience for upkeeping the entertainment value of the films.
In this book, the entire package of the movie sits sometimes on one-man show. Though there are multiple times when the movie was carried by multiple actors. Mr. Haasan has ability to blend in both format.
Kamal Haasan’s drive to balance his movies in such a way that it showcases both the artists, technicians, and creator in him.
Though some of his movies did not make the box-office success yet he dedication to the medium and the storytelling has been an incredible journey.
His Vagaries of Cinematic Journey
The teaming up of director, actors, and technician add flavours to the end product. The aim has always been to entertain and to raise the level of movie appreciation amongst his audience.
A common viewer of cinema had a hard time understanding the different schools of filming. But the movies are a fascination to watch even if the techniques are not fully understood.
I would say this book would make for a good text book for the students of film institute. The journey of the filmdom had started with captured photos shown as slides to motion picture of the present era.
The slow progress of the industry and capturing the various aspects of the filming speaks more for a well told stories. That way Mr. Haasan had explored the various stories without compromising on the quality.
Whether they were accepted by the audience the records of box-office collection were proof enough.
Successful and Flop Movies
There are a sometimes clear indication on the mixed response of the audience to his much more experimental movies.
One success would pave the way for the next movie to be an experimentation and calculated risk.
Eventually, public opinion on his ideologies and theories is centred around as his image of being popular bankable star.
Some of his flops are deeply rooted in his beliefs and film studies. To place oneself on the receiving end of the negative remarks hasn’t stopped him from experimenting.
The effort that are invested in the movies speaks for passion for the field and motivation in recreating a world that close to reality that is imagined or otherwise.
Sounding Preachy or Not, a Choice
The movies set before the viewers a scenario that replicates reality as a suspended moment which captures their imagination.
Through this mechanism the audience response to the said creative reality is garnered for making small chances if possible.
To be the change in an orthodox environment asks for much from every departments involvement.
The book explores the various types of character that Mr. Haasan had envisioned and crafted for public presentation is incredible. Some of his movies were done as an exceptional craftmanship in storytelling.
Surprisingly, his journey speaks for the exceptional works that spans across more than one movie. His ideologies and outlook leaves the viewers to examine the aspect of the message that is usually a numbed social reality.
South Indian Movies and Their Messages
Hindi movies under the banner of Bollywood movies seems to overpower rest of film crafts from other states.
Popularising and polarising singing and dancing being the main stay of the Indian movies. Yes, it would be hard to envision Indian movies without songs and dance sequence.
The palate of the viewers have been developed over the course of a century of cultivating an unique narrative. Here, Mr. Haasan had manoeuvred in on the narratives in which he took personal interest.
The movie Industry from inception to final product showed for viewing, starts with studio production, to labs for processing the film, to final distribution by the distributors are united in the view of not only just making a profit; but also, to bring about change in society.
My Take Aways
The book by Hariharan K., is filled with references and insights into the working mind of the field of film making. Where passion for the medium is a calling for Mr. Haasan as he treads on the sensitive issues with finesse as the creator of the narratives.
Buy the Book in Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/7fPE890
Itinerant Storyteller 