Kamal Haasan recently announced that he no longer wishes to be addressed with titles or prefixes like "Ulaganayagan."
In a heartfelt statement written in both English and Tamil, he expressed gratitude for the love and respect reflected in such titles but emphasized that the artist should never be elevated above the art.
Haasan described himself as a lifelong student of cinema, always striving to learn and grow.
He highlighted cinema as a collaborative art form, created by the contributions of "countless artists, technicians, and audiences."
Haasan further stated his preference to be addressed simply as Kamal Haasan, Kamal, or KH, asking fans, the media, colleagues, and supporters to honor this wish.
He clarified that this decision comes from his desire to remain grounded and focused on his craft, and he thanked his fans for their enduring support.
In his statement, he said, "I have always felt deeply humbled by titles like Ulaganayagan, bestowed upon me by people, respected colleagues, and admirers. I am genuinely moved by your love in conferring it upon me."
He added, "Cinema transcends any individual, and I am merely a student of this craft, forever hoping to evolve and learn. Cinema is the collaboration of countless artists, technicians, and audiences, reflecting humanity's rich and ever-evolving stories."
Haasan concluded, "It is my belief that the artist must not be placed above the art. I wish to remain grounded, aware of my imperfections and my duty to improve. Therefore, after much reflection, I humbly decline all titles or prefixes. I kindly request my fans, the media, the film fraternity, and fellow Indians to refer to me simply as Kamal Haasan, Kamal, or KH. This decision is rooted in humility and a commitment to my purpose. Thank you again for your kindness over the years."
This move makes Kamal Haasan the second actor to make such a request, following Ajith, who previously asked fans to call him AK or Ajith Kumar instead of the title "Thala."
Professionally, Kamal Haasan will next appear in Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, with additional projects lined up with directors Anbarivu and H. Vinoth.
