At a time when the Sri Lankan Tamils issue is snowballing into a major crisis, actor Kamal Haasan today said he would love to do a movie on the Eelam issue but was afraid to do it now considering the prevalent situation.

Addressing mediapersons to announce his next movie Unnai Pol Oruvan, remake of Hindi blockbuster A Wednesday, Kamal Haasan said, ‘I am passionate to work on a film that speaks about Tamils in Lanka.

Honestly, I don’t have the guts to do it now. I am afraid.’ The movie produced by RaajKamal Films International in collaboration with UTV Motion Pictures brings together Kamal Haasan and Malayalam actor Mohanlal for the first time.

Directed by Chakri Toleti, a pass out from Florida School in USA, the movie has musical score by Sruthi Haasan. Speaking about the movie, Kamal Haasan said, ‘terrorism is a major concern today. It is threatening to destroy our lives. The film talks about the agony and anger of an individual towards terrorism.’

‘We have opened the doors of cinema for two literary giants. Noted Tamil author Ee Raa Murugan will make his debut as a dialogue writer, while writer Manushyaputhiran will pen the lyrics.’

To queries as to why he opted for a remake, the actor said, ‘even saint-poet Kambar was inspired by Valmiki’s Ramayana. Isn’t Kamba Ramayanam as good as the original? Jokes apart, whenever  there are good movies in other languages, there is no harm in going in for a remake.’

Kamal Haasan said the movie would be shot using state-of-the-art technology. ‘Unnai Pol Oruvan is being canned on the famous RED cameras as we are committed to using cutting edge technology for the film,’ he added.

On sharing screen space with Mohanlal, he said, ‘it is an attempt to open new vistas in filmdom. One of the great actors of our era, there was always a burning desire to act with Mohanlal. The camaraderie that we share should encourage others to cast use multiple stars in their forthcoming movies.’

Mohanlal, who plays a police commissioner in the movie, said, ‘the  moment Kamal Haasan approached me to do the role, I had no hesitation in accepting it. We have been working hard to match the standards set by the original.’

Chakri Toleti, who played a cameo as young photographer in Salangai Oli and more recently in Dasavatharam as Kamal’s friend, said, ‘directing two legends of Indian cinema is no easy task. They aim for perfection in whatever they do.’ Sruthi Haasan, Ram Mirchandani of UTV and Manushyaputhiran also spoke.

A milestone beckons Kamal

To coincide with the 50th year of Kamal Haasan’s entry to filmdom, plans are on to release Unnai Pol Oruvan in a grand manner. On 12  August 1959, the actor’s Kalathur Kannamma hit the screens. Five decades to that day, he is ready to release Unnai Pol Oruvan. The actor’s fans and well-wishers are planning a gala fete to mark the occasion.