INDIAN ACTOR KAMAL HAASAN DISAGREES TAMIL MOVIES SPARK VIOLENT ACTS

By Santhiran Munisamy

PORT KLANG (Malaysia), Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Leading Kollywood actor Kamal
Haasan and film director K. S. Ravikumar have debunked a belief that excessive
violent scenes in Tamil movies had a bearing on violent acts committed by Indian
youths in Malaysia.

They vehemently disagreed with some Indian-based political parties and
non-governmental organisations in the country that such a link existed,
dismissing it as a wrong perception.

According to Kamal, what was featured in Tamil movies was a general
reflection of what happened in society.

"Violent conduct is widely reported on the daily life of the people in Tamal
Nadu, particularly in rural areas, and we, via the movies, attempt to highlight
the social problems," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama here.

Kamal, 56, and the crew of his latest movie, 'Manmadhan Ambu', made a
one-day stopover in Malaysia and boarded cruise ship Virgo at Glenn Cruise
Terminal,
Pulau Indah (Indah Island) here, heading to Singapore to attend the grand audio
launch of the movie which is expected to be released late next month.

"It's our obligation and responsiblity as key players of the industry in
higlighting the matter, and we will continue to do it," said Kamal, who has won
several Indian film awards.

After making his debut in 1960 as a child artist in 'Kalathoor Kannammaa',
he went on to star in more than 150 movies, in almost all the major Indian
languages such as Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

Kamal further defended Kollywood movie producers by saying that Tamil movies
were "mirrors" which reflected incidents, occurences and behavioural patterns of
people going about their daily life.

"It's like a mirror which reflects on the plus and minus points of each one
of us. It's up to them to correct themselves by adjusting themselves while
looking at the mirror...it's as simple as that," he said casually.

On a serious note, Kamal said violent conduct was an international
phenomenon and not confined to a particular community or country, adding that
actors like him and directors were not portraying non-existent violence.

His advice to youths? Kamal said he was not in favour of giving advice to
anyone for, as a youth before, he did not appreciate such advice.

"Rather than advising them, they should be encouraged to adopt the
lifestyles of successful people, such as Mahatma Ghandhi, who himself had said
his life itself was a message to the people.

Asked on the possiblity of talented Malaysians being given opportunities to
appear in his movies, Kamal said: "Definitely".

He said the matter was even discussed during Prime Minister Najib Razak's
visit to Tamil Nadu early this year.

"We had discussion over the matter but so far, no significant progress has
been made. But I can give my word that talented Malaysians will definitely be
featured in my movies," he stressed.

In April, Kamal had a discussion with the National Film Development
Corporation Malaysia here to explore ways for both countries to cooperate in
producing films in the near future.

Meanwhile, Ravikumar, who is directing Kamal's latest movie, said those
blaming Tamil movies for violent conduct of some youths in Malaysia, were
ignorant.

"There are so many factors to this social problem and blaming the movies is
something really wrong," he said, noting that movies from the US and South
Korea, in particular, depicted far more excessive violent scenes.

"For me, these people are getting their facts wrong...every individual has
a perception on these matters. Violent scenes in Tamil movies are still at
acceptable level," added Ravikumar.

He advised moviegoers to look at the "beauty" (positive aspects) of the
movie in totality, rather than just picking on the negative elements.

"People like me, have a social responsiblity in moulding our society,
especially our youths, irrespective whether they are in India or other parts of
the world.

"Therefore, youths should take the positive aspect of each movie," said the
much-acclaimed movie director.
-- BERNAMA