I am still a student of cinema, says Kamal Haasan

In a much-awaited interaction in Chennai ahead of the grand audio launch of Thug Life, Kamal Haasan spoke with striking clarity and wit, giving fans and film buffs a delightful glimpse into his world — both on and off screen.

As the cinematic titan reunites with the legendary Mani Ratnam after 36 years, Kamal also opens up about AI, youthful co-stars, and his ever-evolving artistic journey in this exclusive conversation with News Today.

Q: What’s the difference between Nayagan Kamal and Thug Life Kamal?
A: I’ve matured. There’s more finesse in my performance now. Age has given me depth, and experience has sharpened my instincts.

Q: Is Thug Life in any way a sequel to Nayagan?
A: Not at all. We were very conscious to not let Thug Life carry even a shade of Nayagan. It’s an entirely new world.

Q: How was it reuniting with Mani Ratnam after 36 long years?
A: It felt like no time had passed. We’re still the same — just more evolved. Mani sir has scaled even greater heights, and I believe I’ve grown as well, as a performer and storyteller.

Q: How was it sharing screen space with today’s younger actors like Simbu, Ashok Selvan?
A: They’re brimming with energy. While they say they learned from me, I was inspired by their zeal and hunger to deliver. That energy is infectious.

Q: Many of your films explore death quite philosophically. Why so?
A: Death is inevitable. Just like a full stop gives meaning to a sentence, death gives closure to life. It’s not morbid — it’s poetic.

Q: Your journey as an artiste seems endless. What keeps you going?
A: Every phase of life brings new lessons. There’s still a long way to go. What truly matters is not what you leave behind in terms of wealth, but the legacy attached to your name.

Q: Tamil cinema is seeing a trend of mafia-based films, much like how cowboy films dominated Hollywood. Your thoughts?
A: In Hollywood, cowboy characters were once the norm, so those stories dominated. Here, mafia stories are emerging because of… well, you know the reasons. I don’t need to say it out loud.

Q: After Vikram’s blockbuster success, can Thug Life top it?
A: I’m not a box office pundit. But I do know this — we’ve made a good film. I hope the audience celebrates it just as much.

Q: You once did many comedy films. Now you’re more into action. Why?
A: It’s not a switch. I love comedy. But comedy needs the right script. If it comes my way, I’ll definitely take it up again.

Q: You’re always at the forefront of technology. We heard you flew to the US to explore AI. What did you learn?
A: Yes, I went to the US hoping to study AI. But I quickly realised – this isn’t something you can just dabble in. It’s far deeper than it appears. I understood that one must grasp the intricacies before attempting to apply it.

Q: Did anything surprise you during your AI exploration?
A: (with a chuckle) When I was there, someone asked me, “What course are you enrolling for?” I didn’t have an answer. That’s when I realised how vast the field is. AI is not just here to stay — it’s going to be in every aspect of our lives. But no, it’s not going to replace us. At least not the kind of artistry we bring.

With Thug Life slated for a worldwide release on June 5 and the much-hyped audio launch happening in Chennai on May 24, this Kamal-Mani reunion is already making waves. And if Kamal’s words are anything to go by, we’re about to witness a film that’s both rooted in artistry and soaring with ambition.