Difficult to produce another talent like Vishwanath: Kamal Haasan

By Subhash K Jha

Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan, who has done two of his best films "Swathi Muthayam" and "Sagar Sangamam" with K. Vishwanath, says that the film industry won't produce another talent like the Dada Saheb Phalke award winner.

"In the future people might think that I am exaggerating out of nostalgia. So I put it on record ....It is going to be very difficult for the film industry to produce another talent like Mr. K. Vishwanath.

"But try, we must. As it is the burden of that duty endowed upon us by masters like K. Viswanath. Bravo sir. The film Industry not only applauds but owns your laurels and you as theirs," he said.

Kamal was on the committee to select the filmmaker for the honour and he says he was delighted to be part of the honour.

"It is only when one becomes a part of a committee selecting the recipient of such an honour like Dada Saheb award that you realise how abundantly rich in talent our Indian film industry is.

"We had many deserving names but four out of the five members in the committee unanimously came up with theirA number one choice as K. Vishwanath. The fourth also had Mr K. Vishwanath in her list but not as first choice," he said.

Kamal also feels that Viswanath was a natural choice for the honour.

"In my view the choice was unanimous. The committee felt humbled. The proof of Mr. K.V's achievement was overwhelming. I am proud to be part of that committee which selected K.V. and also very proud to be part of the fraternity that has given us such a brilliant filmmaker. There isn't enough governmental or private honours in the country to honour the deserving of the Industry," he said.