Legendary actor Kamal Haasan underscored the obstacles that independent cinema faces in India while emphasizing its freedom and distinctiveness at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa.
Upon gracing the red carpet prior to the premiere of his newest venture, Amaran, Haasan stated, “Independent cinema is vibrant and unconfined, akin to the spirit of India… it shouldn’t be confined within the limits of commercial cinema.”
At 71, Haasan is celebrated for his pivotal role in Tamil cinema, seamlessly merging both experimental and popular films with classics such as Apoorva Raagangal, Nayakan, Thevar Magan, and Sadma. He expressed that indie films deserve to exist outside the commercial framework and acknowledged the enduring challenge of scarce theatrical space, noting, “This has been my grievance for approximately 40 years.”
Amaran’s Debut at IFFI 2025
Alongside Haasan on the red carpet were Amaran stars Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi. This film, which narrates the story of Major Mukund Vardharajan who lost his life in Kashmir in 2014, was selected as the opening feature for the 56th IFFI.
Derived from the book India's Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes, the movie is helmed by director Rajkumar Periasamy. Haasan was last seen in Mani Ratnam's Thug Life, marking their first collaborative effort in nearly four decades, although the film didn’t perform well commercially.
Two 19-year-old men have been charged after a taxi driver was shot dead in North Battleford
The 2026 Oscars saw One Battle After Another win Best Picture while Autumn Durald Arkapaw made histo
A drone strike near Dubai Airport hit a fuel tank and caused a large fire. Flights were temporarily
Donald Trump says the US will focus on ending the Iran conflict before dealing with Cuba, even as ta
