Photo : S.Mahinsha
Veteran actor Kamal Haasan today said he was greately indebted to Kerala as it was Malayalam cinema that spotted the artist in him nursed him to emerge what he is today.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural of the Onam-Tourism week celebrations organised by the state government, where Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan honoured the thespian by presenting him with ‘ponnada’ and showering glowing tribute to him as an artist and socially-concerned individual.
A light-and-sound show titled “Suvarna Kamalam” to mark Haasan”s 50 years in Indian cinema, conceived by eminent director T K Rajiv Kumar, was the highlight of the evening. Kerala Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Culture Minister M A Baby, Civil Supplies Minister C Divakaran and Youth Affairs Minister V Surendran Pillai felicitated the actor.
Hassan was also presented with mementos by various film bodies.