Kamal Haasan: The Pan-Indian Star Who Walked Away from Bollywood

Kamal Haasan, often hailed as one of India’s first true Pan-Indian stars, made waves in Bollywood long before the term became popular. Already a celebrated actor in Tamil cinema by the late 1970s, Haasan made his Hindi film debut in 1981 with the romantic classic Ek Duuje Ke Liye, opposite Rati Agnihotri. Directed by his mentor K. Balachander, the film was a remake of their Telugu hit Maro Charitra and immediately established Haasan as a star capable of crossing language barriers.

Despite the film’s success, Haasan did not shift his base to Mumbai or pursue a full-fledged Bollywood career. He appeared in a few more Hindi films in the early 1980s, including Sanam Teri Kasam, Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya, Saagar, Zara Si Zindagi, and Sadma, but his presence in Hindi cinema remained limited compared to his prolific work in Tamil films.

In a candid conversation with journalist Vir Sanghvi, Haasan explained his decision to focus primarily on regional cinema. He said, “I have this habit of completing one film before moving to the next. By the time a Hindi film wraps up, a year or more has passed. Trends change, appearances change, and reshoots can take a toll. It becomes exhausting, and you risk losing touch with the world outside.”

Haasan also shared a revealing encounter with legendary filmmaker Manmohan Desai. When meeting Desai for the film Allah Rakha, Haasan asked to see the script—a request that apparently did not sit well with the director. “Manmohan Desai saab was upset. He said even Amitabh Bachchan doesn’t ask for a script. I told him maybe that’s because he can afford not to,” Haasan recalled. “I meant no disrespect, but that one moment shaped a lot of decisions that followed.”

Kamal Haasan’s selective approach to Hindi films highlights his commitment to creative integrity and personal standards over stardom, cementing his legacy as a versatile actor who prioritized craft over convenience.