The name Kamal Haasan is nothing new. The man himself needs no introduction either. For his credit list is endless, and has his name imprinted all over the Indian cinema industry. One can say he is a pioneer of all sorts, and more of a dictionary that any artist and technician would look up to. You attempt to do something, and there is Kamal Haasan who has already done it. Such is his magnitude.

But let’s look at this side. Kamal Haasan founded and is heading his production banner Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI), which has been seeing a fantastic run in modern times with films like Vikram and recently released Amaran. So, on Kamal Haasan’s birthday, let’s look at the path that RKFI has had, and how it carefully adapted to the modern changes to churn out good stories.

The beginning of RKFI

RKFI was founded in 1981, the very same year, Kamal Haasan wrote and starred in his 100th film Raja Paarvai, a romantic drama directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao. Within the span of working in 100 films, Kamal Haasan had already become a bonafide actor, technician, and a debut producer with RKFI. And no sooner within five years, RKFI backed Rajasekhar directorial Vikram, a film that changed the course of Tamil cinema about 36 years later, with the banner releasing a rebooted version of Vikram, this time helmed by filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj. Vikram (2022) took the spirits of Vikram (1986) and refashioned it into a film that set new expectations and boundaries in Tamil cinema. Also backed by RKFI, the Lokesh Kanagaraj film brought in powerhouses of talents like Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil and Suriya into one film, resulting in the second instalment of the much-hyped LCU.

But let's go back to the 90s for some time, and see the variety in what the RKFI filmography gave us. Within a period of six years from 1989 to 1995, the banner produced Apoorva Sagodharargal, Thevar Magan, Magalir Mattum, Sathi Leelavathi and Kuruthipunal, all of which are distinct in their genres and stood the test of time. If Magalir Mattum saw three women at the forefront of a black comedy drama, Apoorva Sagodharargal gave us two Kamal Haasans, one of which had gone through an immense transformation to portray a midget. Films like Thevar Magan and Kuruthipunal became talking points over the course of Tamil cinema, and despite the varying viewpoints, the films managed to stir discussions, ideally what films should do when placed in society.

To modern day sensibilities

In 2013, Kamal Haasan starred and produced Vishwaroopam, a spy action film which was also helmed by the star. It was the firsts of many kinds; mainly the first Indian film to release through direct broadcast satellite aka direct-to-home, which gradually evolved to be called over-the-top (OTT) now. Who would have guessed that movies can be watched directly from the comforts of our home, if not for Kamal Haasan and the visionary he is. With the OTT space booming, and films getting a special level of attention to detailing and registration among many viewers, Vishwaroopam was indeed a trendsetter.

Cut to 2024, RKFI’s latest release includes Amaran, biopic on late Major Mukund Varadarajan, enacted by Sivakarthikeyan. The film, which was appreciated by many, also found a special place in its promotional strategy. Apart from the regular interviews, state travels, and social media campaigns, the team of Amaran lay bare about the film. Director Rajkumar Periasamy announced that Amaran, despite being a film about a military man, is not a mere war film, but that of a love story. In fact, team Amaran also released episodic conversations of the team, including Indhu Rebecca Varghese (wife of Mukund) and Kamal Haasan.

Amaran became more successful through positive word of mouth, and how the film gracefully depicted the life of Mukund from the eyes of his loved ones. Of course, the film’s credits go to each and everyone involved in the film, right from the actor to the lightman, but RKFI anchored a film which determined its quality.

RKFI is next involved in one of the most expected films in Tamil cinema, a combination that brings back the magical duo; Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan with their upcoming film Thug Life. Mere words aren’t enough to describe the anticipation the film holds now, which marks their reunion after 37 years since the release of Nayakan.

But until then, if RKFI has been one production house that has been constantly evolving and notching up its game, we know why; learning from the best. So here is to another and many more years of getting charmed, astonished, surprised, wowed, entertained, and educated. Happy birthday, Kamal Haasan!

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