‘Incredible Man, Incredible Words’: Kalki 2898 AD Makers React To Kamal Haasan’s Appeal To Cut Film Production Costs

At a time when Indian cinema is mounting increasingly massive productions with globe-trotting shoots and soaring star entourages, Kamal Haasan has sparked an important conversation within the film industry. The veteran actor and Rajya Sabha MP has urged filmmakers to rethink spending habits and focus on responsible filmmaking amid growing economic uncertainty.

On Friday, Kamal shared a detailed open letter on social media, addressing the impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict and the financial pressures it could place on India, including the entertainment sector. His comments quickly drew attention across the industry, with several producers publicly backing his views.

In his statement, Kamal highlighted how rising fuel, logistics and production

expenses could affect cinema in the coming months. He also warned that inflation may eventually influence audience spending on entertainment.

“The continuing crisis in West Asia is deepening, and the world is facing growing pressure on energy, trade, logistics, and economic stability. India, too, is inevitably feeling the impact of rising fuel, energy, logistics, and production costs. For the Indian film industry, this comes at a time when budgets are already escalating, and market recoveries remain uneven. Rising costs will not affect film production alone. Consumer spending patterns for entertainment may also change in the months ahead due to inflationary pressures,” Kamal wrote.

The actor made it clear that cost-cutting should never impact workers on film sets. According to him, the industry must instead address wasteful practices and poor planning.

“Let me be clear. Any correction in cinema economics must never come at the cost of workers’ wages, safety, dignity, food, transport, accommodation, or humane working conditions. The burden cannot fall on those who labour the hardest,” he stated.

Kamal also took aim at extravagant production habits that have increasingly become common in big-budget filmmaking. Referring to expensive overseas shoots, he questioned whether every romantic sequence really needed a foreign backdrop.

“The correction we need is elsewhere: in avoidable waste, poor planning, inflated entourage culture, unnecessary foreign travel, production delays, and the growing disconnect between spending and purpose. Why must every love story bloom only in Paris, and every honeymoon end in Switzerland? Romance, fortunately, does not require foreign exchange. Indian cinema, and Indians, deserve a little more confidence in themselves and our beautiful country,” he explained.

The veteran star further called for tighter shooting schedules, better production discipline, reduced luxury expenses and more efficient use of studio resources. He stressed that cinematic scale should not be confused with overspending.

“This is a time for national interest over personal interest. Our industry shapes culture, influences thought, and reaches millions of people every single day; cinema carries responsibilities beyond entertainment alone. Those of us who have received the most from this industry must lead by example first. If we protect the economics of cinema today, we protect the future of cinema tomorrow,” he concluded.

Kamal’s remarks found support from several industry figures, including producers associated with major commercial films.

Production house Vyjayanthi Movies, which backed Kalki 2898 AD, reshared his letter and praised the actor for speaking up.

“Incredible man. Incredible words. At a crucial time for the cinema industry, Mr. @ikamalhaasan is among the first to step forward and speak about responsible measures to control costs and protect the future of cinema. Truly appreciate it, sir,” the banner wrote.

Producer Shibu Thameens, known for films like Puli and Saamy Square, also agreed with Kamal’s larger point while adding his own perspective on filmmaking budgets.

“It’s need of the hour and allways #ulaganayagan @ikamalhaasan sir. Who allways initiate ideas, as well first one to apply innovative techniques in Indian cinema,” he wrote on social media.

At the same time, Shibu noted that budgets often depend heavily on what the script demands.

“I think, It’s the script which demands the said, prep/shoot/post/ actors/ technicians / location/ art etc. Hope the discipline will start from script development itself keeping the audience in mind,” he added.

The producer also highlighted the success of smaller films and said the industry should learn from them.

“Let’s congratulate Love today, Tourist family, with love, youth, Thai kizhavi..and lots of recent small budgeted succesful Malayalam films as a model. – Sorry, not a statement , just adding my views as a maker, who is learning from few failures,” he wrote.

On the work front, Kamal was last seen in filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life. He is also set to appear in the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD alongside Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan.

Apart from that, Kamal has projects lined up with filmmaker Nelson Dilipkumar and superstar Rajinikanth, along with another untitled film directed by stunt duo Anbariv.