HT Cafe

When Saqib Saleem met Kamal Haasan

- Titas Chowdhury ■ SAQIB SALEEM, ht.cafe@htlive.com

Saqib Saleem was on cloud nine as he recently met Kamal Haasan at a film promotiona­l event in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Having grown up on a staple diet of his films, the young actor was left overwhelme­d after meeting one of his favourite actors. “It was amazing to meet Kamal sir. He’s a simple man and a fabulous actor and that’s what makes him the star that he is. I’ve been a huge admirer of work. It was a truly a humbling experience,” says an excited Saqib.

The Bombay Talkies (2013) actor shares that he was introduced to Haasan very early in his life. Ask him about some of his favourite films by the superstar and he says, “I used to own a VHS of Chachi 420 (1997). Whenever we had the time, we used to keep watching it. That’s one of my most favourite films and that’s one of my earliest memories of him. I also love Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Pushpaka Vimana (1987) and Appu Raja (1990). To have done what he did back then when there was no VFX is incredible. We have VFX now and we can create various things but to have walked on his knee throughout the film is commendabl­e.”

Saqib says that Haasan immensely influenced the actor in him. “I’ve seen a lot of his work while growing up. He didn’t have a direct influence on me as I decided to become an actor much later in my life but his performanc­es in films like Indian (1996), Sadma (1983), Ek Duuje Ke Liye and Chachi 420 left a huge impact on me and I had always been in awe of him as a performer.

He’s a really invested actor and puts in a lot of hard work in each and every performanc­e.

That’s something that every actor needs to learn from.”

He says that he’s elated that the superstar will be contributi­ng to his next film. “It’s an honour that he’s presenting my next Hindi film in Tamil. I hope I get to interact with him a lot more and get to see him a lot more,” Saqib signs off.

I’ve seen a lot of his (Kamal Haasan) work while growing up. He didn’t have a direct influence on me as I decided to become an actor much later in my life but his performanc­es in Indian (1996) and Sadma (1983) left a huge impact on me

ACTOR

 ??  ?? Kamal Haasan with Saqib
Kamal Haasan with Saqib

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