Don’t Call Me Ulaganayagan: Kamal Haasan

Veteran Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan is one of the most popular names in South Indian cinema. In tune with his impeccable record of playing diverse roles, he is given the famous tag of Ulaganayagan.

However, Kamal doesn’t appear to be in approval of these tags and he has retreated against them today. He has asked his fans and common audience alike not to use such extension names to him. I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude over being bestowed with endearing titles such as Ulaganayagan, among others.

Such accolades, given by the people and recognized by esteemed colleagues and admirers, has always been humbling, and I’ve been genuinely moved by your love in conferring it upon me, Kamal stated.

However, the legendary emphasised against the usage of such tags as he wrote “The art of cinema transcends beyond any one individual and I am but a student of the craft, forever hoping to evolve, learn and grow. Cinema, like any other form of creative expression, belongs to all. It is the collaboration of countless artists, technicians, and audience who make it what it is – a true reflection of humanity’s diverse, rich, and ever-evolving stories. It is my humble belief that the artist must not be elevated above the art. I prefer to remain grounded, constantly aware of my imperfections and my duty to improve.”

Hence, after considerable reflection, I feel compelled to respectfully decline all such titles or prefixes. I humbly request that all my fans, the media, members of film fraternity, party cadre and fellow Indians, to here on after, refer to me simply as Kamal Haasan or Kamal or KH. Thank you again for your gestures of kindness over the years. Please know that this decision comes from a place of humility and a desire to remain true to my roots and purpose, to always be one among all of us – the lovers of this beautiful art form, Kamal concluded.

Kamal has stated that he doesn’t wish to be called Ulaganayagan or any such titles in the future and urged everyone to simply refer to him as Kamal or KH.

AI Dubbing Fails to Capture Murthy’s Magic in Kanguva

Surya, a beloved Tamil actor known for his engaging performances, recently ventured into a new domain with his latest film “Kanguva,” a pan-India fantasy action flick directed by Siva. In a groundbreaking move for the actor, Surya attempted to dub his voice in Telugu for the first time. The film, which features Surya in a dual role, opened in theaters this Thursday to high anticipation but received mixed reactions from the audience, particularly regarding its Telugu dubbing.

The innovative approach of using artificial intelligence (AI) for dubbing Surya’s voice in the Telugu version has sparked a wave of disappointment among Telugu cinema enthusiasts. Despite Surya’s efforts to dub in Tamil, the AI technology altered his voice for the Telugu and other language versions. This application of AI in dubbing marks a first in the Kollywood industry, but it has not been well-received, with many fans expressing their dissatisfaction over the lack of authenticity in the voice modulation.

Historically, Surya’s characters have resonated deeply with Telugu audiences, thanks in part to the dubbing talents of Srinivasa Murthy. Murthy’s distinctive base tone, especially in the “Singam” series, and his ability to bring variation to his voice, significantly contributed to the success and appeal of Surya’s roles in various films. The combination of Murthy’s voice and Surya’s performances made for memorable characters, establishing a strong connection between Surya and the Telugu audience.

The unfortunate passing of Srinivasa Murthy in January 2023 due to a heart attack left a void in the industry. Surya himself acknowledged the irreplaceable nature of Murthy’s contribution, highlighting how his voice added depth and emotion to his characters. Following Murthy’s demise, Surya explored alternatives for dubbing but struggled to replicate the same connection with the audience. Though Tollywood actor Satyadev provided his voice for Surya in “Aakasham Nee Haddura” and was praised for his performance, he did not pursue dubbing for other actors, leading to the selection of different dubbing artists for films like “Jai Bheem” and “ET.”

The absence of Srinivasa Murthy’s voice has been particularly noted in “Kanguva,” with many fans arguing that a voice as powerful and evocative as Murthy’s would have been ideal for the film’s epic dialogues. The AI-assisted dubbing has been criticized for sounding unnatural, reminiscent of an English film’s dubbing, lacking the impact and authenticity Murthy’s voice brought to Surya’s characters. This sentiment reflects the challenge of capturing the essence and emotional depth of performances through technology, underscoring the unique and irreplaceable role of human talent in cinematic storytelling.