‘I’m not the same actor from Indian’: Kamal Haasan promotes long-delayed sequel, meets S’pore fans

SINGAPORE – Facilities engineer Elango Subburaj, a big fan of Indian actor Kamal Haasan, remembers watching the veteran screen icon’s 1996 blockbuster film Indian the first day it was released in India.

Twenty-eight years later, on the evening of June 29, the 54-year-old Singaporean was at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands (MBS), waiting to lay eyes on Haasan, who was in town to promote Indian 2, the long-awaited sequel that opens in Singapore cinemas on July 12.

Mr Subburaj was among 1,200 people who showed up at a packed, boisterous MBS ballroom for a fan meet, hoping to catch a glimpse of the 69-year-old, widely considered to be one of the greatest actors in India and a massive star in the Tamil-language film industry.

While awaiting the arrival of Haasan and his Indian 2 co-stars Siddharth and S.J. Suryah, the event’s emcees worked the room, interacting with eager audience members.

When Singaporean actress-host Udaya Soundari asked a female fan what she thought the storyline of Indian 2 was going to be, the latter told the room that the only thing that mattered to her was Haasan’s presence in the film.

When Soundari asked another fan what he would say to Haasan in person, he said he would likely be too starstruck for words and would just fall at him in the hopes of making any fleeting contact.

When Haasan finally made his big arrival to much cheering, fans were on their feet – some on their toes – craning their necks to get a peek of the man of the moment amid a sea of smartphones.

Star Kamal Haasan (middle) with actors Siddharth (left) and S.J. Suryah at the fan meet event for upcoming film Indian 2 ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Indian is a vigilante action film about retired freedom fighter Senapathy (Haasan), who rebels against corruption in India. It was the most expensive Indian film made at the time, costing an estimated 150 million Indian rupees. It went on to become the highest-grossing Tamil film then, collecting more than 500 million Indian rupees globally.

Indian 2, which will see Haasan reprise the iconic role of Senapathy, was first announced in 2017 and will finally see the light of day after facing significant delays.

When asked about the reasons for the delay at a press conference held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, before the fan meet, he said that while they were eager to make the sequel, it took time to find the right backer for it, which eventually materialised with Indian entertainment company Lyca Productions.

But will Indian 2 still be fresh for moviegoers given the long wait? “Certain fruits of our labour are not perishable. Certain ideas are not perishable. It continues growing fresher,” Haasan noted.

Responding to another question in Tamil and referring to himself, he said: “Do not expect the actor from Part 1 to appear in Part 2. They are different actors. If that did not happen, I have failed my duty.”

“In the past 28 years, make-up, cinematography and even the technique of the actors I share a screen with have improved,” he said, adding that the industry should be shut down if there was no improvement over decades.

“No one can step their feet into the same river. The very minute after you step foot in a river, it becomes a different river.”

Much is riding on Indian 2, as its production occurred concurrently with Indian 3,which is expected to be released in early 2025.

Kamal Haasan answering questions at a press conference held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, before the fan meet on June 29. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Haasan – who made a foray into Tamil Nadu electoral politics by launching his own political party in February 2018 and unsuccessfully contesting in state polls in 2021 – said: “Pressure is always there, whether there is a first part or not, (to make) a film successful”.

Perhaps he need not worry, as fans in Singapore seem eager to catch the upcoming film in theatres, with Mr Subburaj declaring that for “people who were born in the 1970s, he is our generation’s star”.

Haasan first graced the big screen when he was just six, and has since starred in over 200 films, picking up a string of awards along the way.

He also produces, directs and sings in many of his movies, which often tackle social issues affecting Tamil society. He is also not shy about posting his views on his X account, where he has eight millions followers.

Ms Subha Chandrasekaran, 44, learnt of the fan meet only on the day itselfthrough social media and was too late to secure free tickets. However, the freelance graphic designer made a trip to MBS anyway and said she intended to wander outside the ballroom for a glimpse of Haasan.

There were younger faces in the crowd too. IT engineer Harish Kumar, 26, said he has watched all of Haasan’s recent works and is a big fan of Indian, despite it being released before he was born.

Mr Kumar is looking forward to Indian 2, particularly the action scenes that its trailer promises, adding: “Pre-orders for the tickets have not opened yet – I would have already bought them if they were.”

• Indian 2 opens in Singapore cinemas on July 12.