By Kamal Haasan Shares His Aspiration to Establish an Acting School and Continue Learning Alongside Students
At the FICCI MEBC South event in Chennai, Kamal Haasan and Trisha engaged in a discussion about the film industry, their experiences working on Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, and staying relevant in the evolving cinematic landscape.
When asked about establishing an acting school, Kamal expressed his hesitation, stating, “I cannot interfere with the growth of a future actor by teaching them acting from my era. It may be useful, just as I have learned from my predecessors, but I cannot replicate that style for a new audience unfamiliar with its origins. While I would love to start an acting school, I would be learning alongside the students under the guise of teaching.”
He recalled an incident in Los Angeles where a Bengali gentleman recognized him at a school. “He introduced me to everyone, and suddenly, I was no longer just a student.” Kamal Haasan further explained that he always advises assistant directors that they cannot learn filmmaking from him because he is too occupied with managing his own work. Comparing it to hiring an inexperienced driver, he remarked, “Why would I employ a driver who knows nothing about driving but insists that, with my guidance, he will become a great driver?”
Trisha, reflecting on her experience working with Kamal Haasan, described it as an educational journey. “Every time I work with Kamal sir, it feels like going to school. It’s about unlearning what I knew and discovering something new. Having known him for 15 years and collaborated on three films (Manmadhan Ambu, Thoongaavanam, and Thug Life), I admire his childlike enthusiasm, commitment, and lack of hierarchy on set. He has taken on multiple roles beyond acting and mastered them all.”
She also shared that some of Kamal’s films, such as Thevar Magan, Nayakan, and Michael Madana Kama Rajan, provide her comfort on tough days. “I watched Vikram thrice in theaters and twice at home—it was pure swag.”
Trisha highlighted the progress in how the industry views female artists. “There is no longer a ‘shelf life’ for actresses. Five years ago, I wouldn’t have known where I’d be in a decade, but today, filmmakers and stars recognize the need for well-developed female characters. There are also more female technicians, and I’ve been fortunate to work with some.”
Kamal echoed her thoughts, noting how action films have evolved. “Previously, I did all the action while the female lead did the nail-biting. That’s no longer the case.”
Reacting to Shruti Haasan’s revelation that he enjoys using emojis, Kamal said, “People thought I was a talented child actor, but I was just a mimic. Now, I’m mimicking emojis without fully understanding them. Teach me a game, and I’ll play it—I love learning new things, except mathematics.”
Trisha admitted she feels out of touch with Gen Z trends. “There’s so much to learn.”
Kamal Haasan described cinema as an evolving language. “Filmmakers who understand this language create better films because they communicate more effectively. Some haven’t even attended film school—they’ve absorbed it from watching movies. Camera placement itself is a statement and a sentence.”
When asked about his famous Nayakan dialogue, “Neenga nallavara kettavara?” Kamal emphasized perspective. “Every time I transform into a character, I’ve never found a definitive answer. I can be both good and bad—it depends on the viewer’s perspective. Even in Thug Life, my character will embody both aspects. It’s like asking what’s more important in mathematics—addition or subtraction.”
Kamal remained tight-lipped about Thug Life, stating, “I need to meet Mani Ratnam again. What would I say if he asked why I revealed everything while he’s working hard on editing?”
Trisha added, “Mani sir is always secretive about his work, and I’ve been trained by him to do the same. I don’t know if I would have taken on such a role for anyone else—it’s completely different from who I am. But Mani sir has the ability to draw out a character’s complexity and make an actor live it. I’m privileged that he trusted me to carry it off.”
She also shared that Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam share a deep understanding. “They are like best friends who grew up together. It’s as if they have a neural link, reading each other’s minds.”
