Kamal Haasan Quotes

Powerful Kamal Haasan for Daily Growth

About Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan, born on November 7, 1954, is an Indian actor, director, producer, dancer, playback singer, and politician renowned for his versatility in the Indian film industry. Born as Parthiban Sivakumar in a Tamil-speaking family in Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, Haasan made his acting debut at the tender age of 4 as a child artist in the Tamil film 'Kalathur Kannamma' (1960). Haasan was influenced by legendary actors like M.G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan, and his unique ability to mimic them earned him the nickname "Ulaga Nayagan" (Universal Hero). He made a significant breakthrough with 'Apoorva Ragangal' (1975), which marked his debut as a lead actor. Haasan ventured into film direction with 'Margazhi Tondan' in 1983 and subsequently directed several critically acclaimed films, including 'Purushartham', 'Thevar Magan', 'Kaadu Karai', and 'Hey Ram'. His performances in movies like 'Sagara Sangamam', 'Nayakan', 'Moondram Pirai', and 'Vishwaroopam' have been widely appreciated. Haasan is also known for his melodious voice as a playback singer, having lent his voice to many of his characters over the years. He co-founded the production company Raajkamal International and started his own political party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), in 2018. Haasan's contributions to Indian cinema have earned him several awards, including four National Film Awards and fifteen Filmfare Awards South. His influence extends beyond the screen as he continues to push boundaries with his innovative storytelling and commitment to social causes.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Karma is not a matter of belief. It's the way things work."

This quote by Kamal Haasan suggests that karma, or the law of cause and effect in Hinduism and Buddhism, is a universal principle, not a matter of religious belief. He implies that actions have consequences and these consequences are not subjective, but rather an inherent part of the way the universe functions, cutting across religious or philosophical boundaries. It encourages people to consider their actions carefully as they will bear fruit in due time, reinforcing the idea of cause and effect.

"Art is a borderless language. It transcends all boundaries and barriers."

This quote emphasizes that art, in its essence, knows no geographical or cultural borders. It has the power to cross over all divisions and limitations, connecting people from diverse backgrounds. By communicating emotions, stories, ideas, and experiences universally, art fosters understanding, empathy, and unity among individuals worldwide.

"The first step towards change is acceptance."

The quote emphasizes that acknowledging the existence or truth of a situation is the initial, crucial step in initiating any kind of change. Acceptance is not an endorsement or complacency but rather a recognition of reality that empowers us to take action for improvement. Change requires understanding and acknowledgement of our current state before we can effectively work towards transformation.

"A hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the size of his heart."

This quote by Kamal Haasan emphasizes that true heroes are not defined by physical power or might, but rather by their capacity for empathy, kindness, and compassion. A hero is recognized not only by the actions they take to defend others, but also by the love and care they demonstrate towards people in need. This perspective encourages us to value character over brute force and promotes a society where empathy, understanding, and kindness are celebrated as the ultimate strengths.

"Cinema should not only entertain, it should enlighten as well."

This quote emphasizes that cinema, or film, serves a dual purpose: to entertain audiences and also to educate or illuminate them. In other words, movies are meant to provide both enjoyment and knowledge or understanding about the world, society, or human nature. This perspective suggests that films have the power to not only provide escapism but also contribute to personal growth and social awareness.

I love reading all the mythological stories. I was brought up on them.

- Kamal Haasan

Love, Stories, I Love, Mythological

Tell me, when do you become a respectable person in society? When you start respecting yourself. That is when you take care of yourself, that is when you comb your hair, groom yourself, and cleanse your body. You do all this because you respect yourself.

- Kamal Haasan

Tell, Cleanse, Respectable, Respecting

If my idol Mahatma Gandhi could fight to eradicate corruption at the age of 78, why can't I try at 60?

- Kamal Haasan

Why, Could, Idol, Eradicate

When you don't take a stand against corruption you tacitly support it.

- Kamal Haasan

Stand, Against, Take, Corruption

If I were to believe in the stories of the of the gods, then the gods do not need mortals to defend them, do they?

- Kamal Haasan

Need, Defend, Stories, Mortals

As a principle, I will never react to film criticisms. As long as they are part of film fraternity, whatever they say will be beneficial to cinema.

- Kamal Haasan

Will, Principle, Part, Fraternity

I write the occasional poem. I think my dabbling in poetry makes me better at screenplays. Poetry teaches the value of condensing, the importance of talking in a few words.

- Kamal Haasan

Think, I Think, I Write, Screenplays

All stars are businessmen. Once you decide to become a star, you are talking about money, fame, and being successful.

- Kamal Haasan

Star, Decide, About, Businessmen

I don't remember myself to be a forefront fighter, but when pushed to a point with a wall behind me, there is only one way forward. Later you can call it a Rambo syndrome, but I never regret it, as it comes naturally to me, and in my mind, that is the only way.

- Kamal Haasan

Regret, Behind, Point, Never Regret

There is a buffet of ideologies for me to choose from. I've been a fan of certain communist and socialist ideals. Some have failed, some have succeeded. I've lived long enough to understand where all they failed.

- Kamal Haasan

Some, Communist, Been, Buffet

I used to be a wannabe Genghis Khan and will always be that. He never lost any battles. Then I swung to the other side of the spectrum and settled on Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Now I realise I should identify myself with those who strengthen my argument.

- Kamal Haasan

Argument, Other, Swung, Gandhi

Acceptance is the only thing you should teach. Be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Dalit, you must inculcate acceptance, not tolerance.

- Kamal Haasan

Muslim, The Only Thing, Tolerance

People keep saying Balachander discovered me. I differ. He invented me. When a stalwart like him suggests that I act in films, who am I to refuse?

- Kamal Haasan

Like, Discovered, Films, Who Am I

You must have anger, as rightful wrath is what makes you create your own ethical standards.

- Kamal Haasan

Standards, Own, Rightful, Wrath

There is a lot to be learnt, and I am always dissatisfied. I am happy but not content.

- Kamal Haasan

I Am Happy, Always, Lot, Dissatisfied

You have to appreciate the finer points of your work; criticise, too, if needed. I am also my own worst and most honest critic. I can say things which nobody will ever dare say. Even the best of friends will stop at a point, whereas I can go beyond.

- Kamal Haasan

Best, Own, Needed, Whereas

Since I was 20, I wanted to make a short film and send it to international short film festivals. It never happened. I became too big a star to indulge in those things.

- Kamal Haasan

Big, Festivals, Became, International

A political party is about an ideology. And I don't think my goals in politics can match the ideology of any political party.

- Kamal Haasan

Politics, Think, About, Goals

I'd like to keep updating myself. That's the only way to make life interesting. And because I am a performer, I like to do it deliberately and with purpose.

- Kamal Haasan

Performer, Deliberately, Updating

If it doesn't reach the last poor man, your constitution is wrong.

- Kamal Haasan

Reach, Constitution, Last, Poor Man

Would I get into politics? I'll just say what I tell people when they ask me this: Pray that everyday citizens like me aren't pushed to that corner.

- Kamal Haasan

Politics, Tell, Like, Everyday

I am not the opposite of theism. I am right in the middle of those non-believers and believers. It's not even about being agnostic or nastik. Why would I take a name given to me by my opposition? I am just a rationalist.

- Kamal Haasan

Why, About, Believers, Agnostic

Acting ceases to be work because I enjoy it. But it feels like working when I do bad work, especially when I know it is bad.

- Kamal Haasan

Bad, Like, Feels, Ceases

Happiness is perhaps painlessness, a state one rarely appreciates. Happiness, then, is very much like a great talent. It rarely gets appreciated and is taken for granted.

- Kamal Haasan

Like, Very, Appreciates, Great Talent

We should work towards a legislation to sack non-performing politicians. This may not happen during my lifetime, but I will try for it anyway.

- Kamal Haasan

Happen, May, Sack, Legislation

The most feared thing should be death, but after a lot of rumination, I have settled to fear incessant pain. It is not a 'screaming hysterically' kind of fear but a silently lurking one.

- Kamal Haasan

Pain, Lurking, Feared, Screaming

I cannot live on myths; somehow, science convinces me more easily. I am prone to lean towards science, ethics, and philosophy rather than myth, religion, and rituals.

- Kamal Haasan

More, Rather, Myths, Prone

The box office is a black money laundry shop. No business is straight.

- Kamal Haasan

Money, Straight, Shop, No Business

The fact that I've lived this long is not really an achievement. Time passes; we age... it's natural. This is why it annoys me when a person watches a movie and tells me that it was 'time pass.' Would time not have passed if he hadn't watched the film?

- Kamal Haasan

Achievement, Fact, Movie, Annoys

I've always believed in speaking my mind, and I think the technology has made it more prominent. Even a common man's voice is heard prominently now, much to the chagrin and surprise of politicians. They aren't used to that.

- Kamal Haasan

Voice, I Think, Prominent, Chagrin

Once you attain stardom, you lose that finer touch with society. When you are a man on the street, you get to know every vibration. But once you attain this status, more than you, people become self-conscious by your presence.

- Kamal Haasan

Society, Your, Vibration, Presence

Entering politics would be like donning a crown of thorns.

- Kamal Haasan

Politics, Thorns, Would, Entering

If you ask my opinion, I don't look at a film according to its box office collection.

- Kamal Haasan

Box, Film, According, Box Office

The creation of God itself, I deduced, came from our primal fear.

- Kamal Haasan

Primal, Itself, Came, Creation

I've entered politics the moment I marked my finger with the electoral voting mark. So I've entered politics, but I am not a politician. I am doing my duty as a citizen of India.

- Kamal Haasan

Politics, Finger, Marked, Mark

Sometimes we equate anger to destructive physical violence, but anger need not be martial.

- Kamal Haasan

Sometimes, Need, Equate, Martial

I don't have tiffs with people. I only mind my business, but whatever interferes my freedom of expression, I have always voiced.

- Kamal Haasan

Mind, Always, Expression, Interferes

When classical singers or dancers look at cinema with derision, I have half a heart to tell them that they're wrong. They're losing a platform.

- Kamal Haasan

Dancers, Singers, Half, Cinema

We got to go one step further than even 'Make in India.' Let's make India itself - India 2.0, the updated version.

- Kamal Haasan

India, Go, Got, Version

We are not exercising our democratic rights properly. We need to stop looking for solutions in others.

- Kamal Haasan

Stop, Need, Properly, Exercising

I audition for almost every role. I get into auditions even when I am just producing a film. Not that someone would fire me, but I keep trying various tests and keep working till I learn the job.

- Kamal Haasan

Role, Auditions, Till, Producing

I am very angry, and you don't need angry politicians. You need politicians with great balance.

- Kamal Haasan

Balance, I Am, Very, Politicians

All my films are statements, especially when I write them.

- Kamal Haasan

I Write, Them, Films, Statements

Today, we should look for people with great organizational skills to run a government - not just leaders, who are good with people.

- Kamal Haasan

Look, Run, Leaders, Organizational

The disgraces I suffer should be attributed to me, but the praises that I get go to my family and teachers. It is they who decided what I would become.

- Kamal Haasan

Go, Attributed, Decided, Praises

If reality TV is bad, so is Colosseum, so are the gladiators, so are sports. I think cricket is bad. But that's a point of view.

- Kamal Haasan

Think, I Think, TV, Point

I have been vociferous against government on things like beef. I used to eat beef, but I've stopped. That doesn't mean others shouldn't eat beef.

- Kamal Haasan

Like, Been, Stopped, Beef

When I was 16, I felt I might be left with some effeminacy because of all the dancing. I was so full of classical dance that I wanted to get away and do something else.

- Kamal Haasan

Dancing, Some, Away, Classical

Even if the country is run by a Mussolini, free speech will find its way.

- Kamal Haasan

Country, Free Speech, Even, Speech

I am opposed to autobiographies, mainly because most autobiographies lie.

- Kamal Haasan

I Am, Most, Opposed, Lie

Politics is too big a game to feel the absence of a Kamal Haasan.

- Kamal Haasan

Politics, Game, Big, Absence

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