Aug 28, 2004 01:54 PM
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(Updated Aug 28, 2004 01:54 PM)
For most of my life, I've never been a huge Kamal Hassan fan. Growing up Rajnikanth was the numero uno and Kamal was the other famous superstar. But I've grown to tremendously like and respect his work. Arguably he is the most multi-talented artiste in Indian cinema today. Beyond acting, he is an accomplished Director, he choreographs some of his dance sequences, writes stories and screenplays, does make-up and so much more.
As a actor, he strives to compete with his high standards and try to come up with innovations, both in his performance and the technical aspects of film. Kamal has made films where he does attempt to be the centerpiece, albeit unsuccessfully(take the case of Abhay/Alavandan). But that is a small price to pay for a viewer, because the Master creator Kamal himself is trying to cross new frontiers in Indian Cinema.
Top 5 films
Before I get into my listing of top 5 films, I would like to outline the criterion for my selection.
First as the category states, Hindi Movies, I will try to select those made in Hindi. As a Nava-rasa Nayakan( the artiste of the Nine Rasas), Kamal Hassan has given splendid performances in films depicting the 9 Rasas. However in Hindi, he has yet to show the audience the full gamut of his abilities. Some of his best films have been made in Tamil(Aboorva Ragangal, Guna, Vazhve Mayam, Mahanadhi), Telugu( Swati Mutyam, SagaraSangamam) and Malayalam(Chanakyan).
His abilities to take risks while choosing the roles have allowed him to transcend stereotyping.Thus he can chose films avoiding image problems common for Indian Heroes. He follows method acting in some of his serious roles to tremendous effect. Take the case of Nayakan, in the older don role, he brings the mannerisms of such a person and the character is brought to life. Some of the best actors have collaborated with him to give some splendid films, actors like Sivaji Ganesan, Rajnikanth,Sridevi, Jayaram, Shah Rukh Khan, Tabu Om Puri, Madhavan and Naseeruddin Shah.(Nope, Amitabh in Geraftaar does not count).
In no particular order here are the Top 5 films of Kamal Hassan in Hindi
1. Sadma
In a film where Sridevi gives her career's best performance(not counting Himmatvala), Kamal feeds of her performance to give a spell binding performance as a teacher in love with a young lady suffering from amnesia. This is a slow film and Kamal really captures the screen as a person caught between love and being a temporary parent. The last scene at the train station, with the train leaving is probably one of the 10 best scenes in Indian cinema.
2. Chachi 420
Switching gears, Kamal gives a comedic turn in this Indian version of Mrs.Doubtfire. As the husband of Tabu trying to get back with his kid, he develops the nice bond between him and the child actor. Despite the fact that this is a remake, Kamal as the director, gets some splendid performances from Om Puri as the conniving assistant, Amrish Puri as the lecherous old man and Paresh Rawal. The make-up scenes with Johny Walker are a hoot. Kamal jumping between Jaiprakash and Laxmi Godbole the 60 year old nanny who rocks literally !
3. Hey Ram
This is a complex portrayal in a film which in my opinion is under appreciated. Kamal goes through the entire gamut of emotions, joys of marriage and life, loss of his wife Rani Mukherjee, anger against any peaceful individuals. Torn between friendship and promises made, Kamal as Saket Ram gives a terrific performance. The scenes where he transforms into a murdering machine during the riots of Calcutta are incredible.
Atul Kulkarni gives an amazing performance as a volatile Hindu fundamentalist as does Shah Rukh Khan who plays the voice of reason in this film. As the director, his attempts to create 1940's India is commendable and the technical efforts are to be lauded. The riot scenes in Calcutta where Kamal roams in anger are powerful. So are the scenes where Saket Ram discusses ideologies with Mahatma Gandhi.
4. Pushpak
Ok, Pushpak is the silent film, but it was released in Hindi first. As an unemployed graduate who lucks into a rich drunk, Kamal trades places with the rich drunk and lives the life of luxury for a few days. Here he falls in love with Amala and by mistake becomes the target of a contract killer played with distinction by Tinnu Anand. Its hard to describe the visual genius of a film which has no dialogues. But the film is endearing and has a lot of real life touches, the scenes where Kamal tries to sleep in the tranquility of the hotel, but cannot, and has to sleep with recorded noises. His antics in the art & craft stores are hilarious. So is Tinnu Anand's attempts to kill Kamal.
5. Saagar
You know I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel, when I'm picking Saagar. Ek duuje ke liye was another choice, but it was remade and not to well in Hindi. I liked the Tamil version better. I was thinking of Appu Raja, where Kamal as the dwarf Appu gives screen magic. But his role as Raja the lovable loser who loves Dimple Kapadia but is unable to tell her. Ultimately for his love, he has to make the ultimate sacrifice for an undeserving Rishi Kapoor.
Hopefully Kamal will add to this short list and push the filmmaking of Indian cinema to the next level in coming years.
