26 June,2026 09:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kamal Haasan. Pic via Instagram
Actor Kamal Haasan has, over the years, built his legacy in cinema across the country. Although he has primarily worked in Tamil cinema in recent years, the veteran actor enjoyed a successful stint in Hindi films before stepping away. Years later, the veteran actor has now opened up about why he chose not to continue working in the industry despite earning widespread recognition.
After 1985, Kamal Hassan decided to stay away from Bollywood for over a decade before returning with Chachi 420 (1997), the Hindi remake of his Tamil film Avvai Shanmugi. Later, he featured in bilingual projects including Hey Ram, Abhay, Mumbai Xpress, Vishwaroop, and Vishwaroop 2.
Recently, speaking at the India Today South Conclave in 2017, Kamal recalled why he decided not to pursue a long-term career in Bollywood. He said "The times... those times were like that. I was a poorer cousin of Hindi cinema. I had to do my own laundry and stuff like that. They were spoilt and rich. They could do six films at a time. I thought that was very defeating. That was one of the reasons," he said.
The actor went on to reveal that the industry's alleged underworld links and the presence of black money influenced his decision to move away.
"[Bollywood had] Too many underworld connections. I didn't want to stay there, either to oppose it or to succumb to the threat. I was one of the actors to decide that I would not have anything to do with black money. I'm quite happy. I drove in a car. It is quite possible. Someone else did it earlier: cameraman Vincent. He never touched black money. It was long before any government threatened him to not keep black money. My brother and I made that call," he further added.
Kamal first appeared in Hindi cinema, featuring in a small role in Aaina (1974), directed by his mentor K. Balachander. Later, his breakthrough came in 1981 with Ek Duuje Ke Liye, the Hindi remake of Balachander's Telugu film Maro Charitra. Also starring Rati Agnihotri, the romantic drama was both a critical and commercial success, making Kamal a popular face in Bollywood.
He then followed it up with films such as Sanam Teri Kasam, Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya, and Zara Si Zindagi. Then came 1983, when he delivered one of his most acclaimed performances in Sadma, alongside Sridevi.
