A MAJESTIC HONOR: Kamal Haasan to be felicitated with the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award at IIFA 2023

'Ulaganayagan' Kamal Haasan will be honored with the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) 2023, which is scheduled to be held at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on May 27. Having worked across several film industries in India throughout the course of his glorious career spanning more than six decades, the 68-year-old actor expressed his excitement at being part of the grand event. Kamal Haasan said, "I am extremely honored and grateful that I have been a part of many IIFAs and they are doing a great job promoting Indian cinema globally this time I am being honored at IIFA 2023 at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Excited to be present at the event." 

Kamal Haasan began his career as a child artist, at the age of six, in the Tamil film Kalathur Kannamma, which had legendary actors Gemini Ganesan and Savithri in the lead roles. He went on to earn the President’s Gold Medal for his role in the 1960 family drama, while also becoming a darling among Tamil audiences. Kamal Haasan then played a key role in the 1973 film, Arangetram, after which he cemented himself as a powerhouse talent to reckon with in several memorable roles in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and Bengali languages. 

A recipient of the esteemed Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan awards, Kamal Haasan is currently working on his next big film, Indian 2, under Shankar's direction, which is being produced by Lyca Productions and will feature music by Anirudh Ravichander. The sequel to the 1996 cult classic Indian is halfway through production and is expected to wrap up soon, with the team reportedly eyeing a release either toward the end of the year or in early 2024. Kamal Haasan will next reunite with ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam for the tentatively titled KH 234 after a gap of 35 years when they last collaborated for Nayakan in 1987. The film jointly being produced by Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, R. Mahendran, and Siva Ananth under their banners Raaj Kamal Films International and Madras Talkies, will be presented by Red Giant Movies and include music composed by Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman. Kamal Haasan will also be joining hands with Pa. Ranjith for a film, while there have also been reports of the iconic actor holding discussions with H. Vinoth and Vetri Maaran for different projects.