Kamal Haasan Acknowledges Nani’s Praise for Virumandi Performance

Kamal Haasan, widely regarded as a masterclass in acting by many in the film industry, has inspired countless actors—including Natural Star Nani. During promotions for HIT 3, Nani revealed how a particular scene from Kamal’s Virumandi left a lasting impact on him.

Nani had said, “Cinema has given us a lot, and if we’ve given anything back, it’s Kamal Haasan, sir. He is a gift to cinema. I remember a scene from Virumandi where he wakes up from sleep—it’s so natural, I watched it repeatedly just to check if it ever felt artificial. That inspired me to try something similar in my film.”

The heartfelt tribute quickly went viral on social media and, to Nani’s delight, reached Kamal Haasan himself.

In a recent promotional interview for Thug Life, Kamal was asked about the incident. Even before the interviewer could finish, Kamal acknowledged it, saying, “Just like I don’t have to say ‘Thanks, Nani’ out loud because I know he gets it, in cinema too, I don’t need to explain everything—the audience understands through my performance.”

Kamal’s recognition of Nani’s admiration is a proud moment for the younger star and a testament to the enduring influence of the legend’s craft.

Meanwhile, Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, is set to hit screens on June 5th.