OTA helped create realistic army scenes in Vishwaroopam 2

Kamal Haasan held a special screening of his film Vishwaroopam 2 at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, on Sunday. Incidentally, the day, August 12, also marked the 59th anniversary of his entry into showbiz as a child actor in the 1959 film Kalathur Kannama.

Sitting down for a quick chat, the actor-director talked about his connection with the OTA. "I have been associated with the OTA for 30 years. It started when I needed to do some research for Maruthanayagam. The Academy was very helpful then. They gave me permission to learn horse-riding and participate in the army training. And I am still a student. Even though I’ve only trained at the OTS for a short period of time, I’ve learnt a lot,” Kamal says.

“The army sequences in Vishwaroopam 2 have turned out so well not just because of good actors, but also thanks to the training and guidance received from the OTA. They helped me reproduce realistic-looking sequences in the film,” he adds.

The actor says that he wants more south Indians to join the army. “Many people from the south have served, and continue to serve, in the Indian National Army. There’s a misconception that there’s no guarantee of one’s life in the army. But that is not so!”

Thanking journalists and fans for keeping his career alive for so long, he says, “I thank the press and my fans for ensuring that I am still acting. I am also glad that Vishwaroopam 2 has been received well.”

Kamal adds that he’s confident that the issues that have caused Vishwaroopam 2 not to be released in some districts of Tamil Nadu will be sorted out soon, and that the movie will play in those places too.

Responding to a question regarding a possible third instalment in the same series or franchise, he laughs and says, “A third Vishwaroopam film? Not in cinemas, only in reality!”