I'm godless; is that why Kamal' spells controversy?

Kamal Haasan opens up about his greatest fears, on the limitations of honesty which according to him is a great luxury, his policy on giving and taking advice,  feeling proud about his daughters also being in the film industry, how cinema has become his extravagancy and why happiness is always in the future.

Being on the Censor Board reforming committee:

Our opinion as reforming committe will go to chairman Shyam Benegal sir. We will ask to make changes suitable to our times and mind set, keeping the freedom of speech for a filmmaker intact.

On moral policing:

Every 10 or 20 years cultural parameters change, why give them so much importance? Earlier, an Iyer could not marry an Iyengar — now it is okay to marry any Brahmin.

 Jallikattu issue:

Jallikattu’s original name was Eru Thazhuvudhal; taking on a bull without weapons. It is being mistaken for Spanish bullfighting, that’s not what it is. It is a cultural thing.

About animal rights and vegetarianism:

I believe plants have life. Just because they can’t sing, dance and tweet doesn’t mean they are lifeless. One may say 2+ 2 is 4, but I may say 1 +1+1+ 1 = 4.

‘Kamal’ reads controversy:

Because I am God-less. That could be one of the reasons. Then you are not one of us!  My best friend Ilayaraja becomes controversial very rarely, when he gets angry. But whatever I say becomes controversial.  He tells me that he knows that I am internally a spiritual person — for that I can’t get angry with him. My outlook and beliefs are totally different from his.  We don’t pull each other’s legs as both of us know each other’s traits. We collaborate for things where we synergise. He is deeply into theism and I am more inclined towards rationalism.

Using Twitter meaningfully always:

If you have noticed, I have used it for sharing happy pictures. I think it is an effective tool for converting my fans into social workers. Swacch Bharat is something we have been doing for 20 years.

Remakes do not mean a dearth of original writers:

K.Balachander sir’s Aval Oru Thodar Kathai and Naan Avanillai were not his stories. At a restaurant, if you find a dessert which catches your attention, you gulp it there itself. Same thing applies when you are passionate about films!

About your family:

I feel so nice that my daughters are also in films. I was the odd man out earlier. Now, I am not alone. They are artistes by profession, I am an artiste by my mindset.

Teaming up with Shruti for a trilingual:

Yes, we are coming together for a trilingual, which will be shot in the US. We are working on it. It is too early to divulge more. Amma Appa Vilayaattu has been dropped for the time being.

Which emotion you fall prey to the most:

Anger.

Favorite virtue:

I presume it is honesty! It’s a great luxury which I want to afford.

Biggest fear:

Physical pain. Once I conquer it, I don’t fear anything. Fear of death is gone. I have accepted it as a part of life.

Greatest extravagance:

Films have always been my extravagance. I can be without cars, simple clothes and less food, but my cinema has to be bigger, grand and nice for my audience. It is like a proud father spending illogically on marriage.

A regret:

I think my evolution in cinema has been slow.  I could have arrived here much earlier.

Three things, which no one knows about you:

Let it stay unknown

Things that immediately come to your mind for the following:

Censor Board — Reform
Awards — Thank you
Chennai Floods — oxygen

An idea that changed your life:

Ahimsa. It’s a strange inner philosophy about loving all equally and truly. The best part is that ahimsa is not a nonexistent state — it is very much achievable.