In a shocking turn of events, Kamal Haasan, the legendary Kollywood star, produced a bombshell fact that stunned the world of cinema. During the press conference of the new film Thug Life, in which Kamal Haasan and all-time great director Mani Ratnam collaborated for the first time after thirty years, the actor divulged an interesting bean. Kamal Haasan has revealed that Mani Ratnam’s epic saga, Ponniyin Selvan, was initially to be produced by his own production house, Raaj Kamal Films International.
The news came as a surprise to everyone, as the Ponniyin Selvan franchise is one of the largest success stories of Kollywood. With its blockbuster success, the movie made a record 500 crores for part one and 350 crores for part two, Lyca Productions’ blockbuster hit. But Kamal Haasan’s admission that he missed out on being a part of such a massive project has raised eyebrows in the trade and among fans.
Kamal Haasan’s Association with Ponniyin Selvan
Kamal Haasan’s revelation about Ponniyin Selvan shook the Kollywood industry as well as the people’s interest in Mani Ratnam-Kamal Haasan collaboration. Both director and actor are usually the pioneers of modern Indian cinema, whose previous work had shaped the landscape of Tamil cinema. Their collaborations in films like Nayagan (1987), which remains a classic even today, are nostalgically remembered by fans.
Their union on a film as massive as Ponniyin Selvan was longingly expected to be a fan’s dream come true as people were eager to see these two reunite on the big screen. But what Kamal Haasan had in store for the world, albeit indirectly, is that the opportunity to bring Ponniyin Selvan under his house came undone when he didn’t go for the decision. The film, which ended up being an enormous blockbuster, was then made by Lyca Productions, a production firm that made massive returns on investment on the production.
A Missed Golden Opportunity
It was decided by Kamal Haasan, along with Mani Ratnam, to produce Ponniyin Selvan under his own production banner, Raaj Kamal Films International. He mentioned that he had initially shown interest in financing the film, which would be among the biggest projects in Kollywood history. But for certain reasons, which also involved the scale and size of the project, Kamal Haasan did not consider taking the project forward.
Kamal Haasan’s comment has left everyone thinking about what could have been. If Ponniyin Selvan had been made under his production house, it could have been a milestone in Kamal Haasan’s already shining career, with yet another feather to his cap. The huge box office success and critical acclaim that the film achieved would have worked wonders for Raaj Kamal Films International, cementing Kamal Haasan’s position as an actor and a producer.
The Success of Ponniyin Selvan
Ponniyin Selvan was a huge success, with the first half crossing 500 crores gross, becoming the top-grossing Kollywood film when it was released. The movie’s success is in its gigantic scale, star cast, and Mani Ratnam’s brilliant direction. Kamal Haasan had no role in the production of the film, but it is an undisputed success for Tamil cinema and its ability to create world-class epic dramas.
The sequel of the movie also collected a staggering 350 crores, demonstrating the saga had the full support of the audience. It became a movie beyond the realm of regional films, with international followers. The decision of Lyca Productions to support the venture clearly paid dividends, representing one of the most profitable ventures in the Indian film sector in the recent past.
If Kamal Haasan was involved in the production of Ponniyin Selvan, then the success of the film would have definitely made him a producer as well, apart from his already established career as an actor. His Raaj Kamal Films International would have been a serious player in the industry, which could have opened the doors to more big-budget films in the future.
Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s Next Venture
Though Kamal Haasan lost the opportunity to be a part of Ponniyin Selvan, the actor-director duo is not leaving fans waiting for long. They are teaming up for Thug Life, a highly anticipated film which has them returning after more than three decades of working together. Kamal Haasan disclosed during the press meet that he had provided inputs to the underlying story of Thug Life, which Mani Ratnam then developed into the screenplay.
Thug Life is already creating a buzz among the fans for the classic combination of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam. The film will hit the screens worldwide on June 5, 2025, and the duo is confident that the film will be a blockbuster. Hype has been surrounding the film with sky-high expectations, and everyone is waiting to see how this legendary combination will recreate the magic they had earlier with films like Nayagan.
Kamal Haasan’s Faith in Thug Life
Despite a lost opportunity with Ponniyin Selvan, Kamal Haasan is hopeful that Thug Life would be a blockbuster. He mentioned that he is sure about the strength of the story and Mani Ratnam’s ability to give his best to any project. Kamal added that the collaboration was special, with both having a deep understanding of each other’s creative vision.
The actor expressed his belief that Thug Life will be a game-changer, and fans should expect a new cinematic benchmark from the legendary duo.
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Conclusion: A Bitter-Sweet Revelation
Kamal Haasan’s regret over missing a chance to make Ponniyin Selvan is a sour-sweet memory for his public and the Kollywood community. While it was unfortunate that he lost the chance to be the producer of a such a mammoth hit, the actor has shown that he is always in focus on newer projects. As Thug Life is already pending, Kamal Haasan is set to conjure up still more moments for his fans’ memories in movies.
Though the lost opportunity with Ponniyin Selvan will remain a point of controversy, Kamal Haasan’s career is still robust, and the collaboration with Mani Ratnam is going to create more buzz in the coming months. Fans are waiting anxiously to find out what the legendary duo will do next.
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