Kamal Haasan Pens Letter To Film Fraternity; Calls For Less 'Extragavance', Efficient Filmmaking Amid Rising Costs

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West Asia faces an energy crisis, Kamal Haasan has a proposal for the Indian film industry to come together and keep costs down and not shift the burden on the consumer as well. The veteran actor made it clear that workers' wages should not be affected. However, he had a few suggestions in the letter he wrote to the film industry. The actor-turned-politician also urged the entire industry, from actors to filmmakers and distributors to OTT platforms, to come together to solve the issue with "practical and sustainable operating practices." He called for the leaders of the industry to lead by example to protect the future of cinema.

Kamal Haasan's letter to the Indian film industry

Taking to social media, the veteran actor posted his two-page letter and called to attention the growing pressure on energy and trade. He pointed out that soon India would feel the impact of rising fuel, energy, logistics and production costs.

The Vikram star said that budgets on Indian films have already been high and will continue to rise with this crisis. And it's not just production that will face the rising costs; even consumers will face the pinch and curb their spending. While producers, theatres, distributors and financiers would be hit the hardest, Kamal stated that "any correction in cinema economics must not come at the cost of workers' wages, safety, dignity." The actor also asked makers to make corrections elsewhere. He suggested curbing avoidable waste, poor planning, inflated entourage culture, unnecessary foreign travel and production delays.

Kamal wondered, "Why must every love story bloom only in Paris, and every honeymoon end in Switzerland?" He urged filmmakers to keep their stories local and called everyone from all walks of life in the industry to engage in dialogue to move through the economic challenges ahead. He ended his letter stating, "This is a time for national interest over personal interest." Kamal stated that cinema had a responsibility beyond entertainment and it was up to the industry leaders to band together and lead by example.

Kamal Haasan's upcoming projects

Up next for Kamal, the actor is reprising his role as the villain Yaskin in Kalki 2898 AD Part 2 by Nag Ashwin. He and Rajinikanth are reuniting after 46 years with an untitled film by Nelson Dilipkumar. He has also been shooting for an action project with Anbarivu tentatively called KH237. Finally, he is also producing Cibi Chakravarthi's Thalaivar 173 and Sivakarthikeyan's Seyeon through his production house, Raaj Kamal Films.