Kamal Haasan - Remaker with Stunning Originality
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
If Indians have always been smart at making remakes and adaptations, veteran actor, director, producer and screenplay writer Kamal Haasan has been the smartest. He considers it a good idea, stating the example of Ramayana to draw our attention to the various adaptations of our Vedas , folks and fables, Panchatantras and other religious works. It is difficult to name a person who has as skillfully escaped copyright and plagiarism issues as Kamal Haasan and yet secured a respected position in the world of remakes. Because when its Kamal Haasan, ‘it’s ideas compiled and ideas added’ and that can’t be termed as ‘idle or foolish copying’. After all, who doesn’t use inspirations and existing ideas to add to the creative pursuits?
Kamal is capable at focusing on the crux of the matter. He chooses tried and tested movies and that’s why with several remakes round the corner, audience always turn to the ones of Kamal. When Kamal adapts a work, the makers of the original often admit of its surprising originality and magic. Hence more often than not , its success all the way.
Whatever the genre he adapts from and whichever the industry, he gives it a regional touch and feel. Hence whether it’s the remake of “Maro Charitra” or ‘Godfather’ or ‘A Wednesday’, its Kamal Haasan’s distinct style of adaptation all the way. With so much said, lets glance at the stills of the various intelligent adaptations he has made.