No more 'Ulaganayagan': Kamal Haasan requests fans to stop using nicknames

'The art of cinema transcends beyond any one individual and I am but a student of the craft, forever hoping to evolve, learn and grow,' Haasan said.

Chennai: Ulaganayakan (Universal Hero) is how his fans and peers in the Tamil film industry have been affectionately addressing legendary actor Kamal Haasan for the past couple of decades. However, on Monday, the actor decided to renounce the title and asked everyone to simply call him KH.

Kamal Haasan has become the second actor in the Tamil film industry to refuse such titles after Ajith Kumar who asked his fans to call him as Ajith or AK.

In a statement posted on his social media accounts, Kamal Haasan said he had always felt a deep sense of gratitude over being bestowed with endearing titles such as Ulaganayakan among others.

“Such accolades, given by the people and recognized by esteemed colleagues and admirers, has always been humbling, and I've been genuinely moved by your love in conferring it upon me. The art of cinema transcends beyond any one individual and I am but a student of the craft, forever hoping to evolve, learn and grow,” Kamal Haasan said.

Kamal Hassan's statement

Honorific titles are quite common in Tamil Nadu with every actor being given one and that almost becomes their identity.

Cinema, like any other form of creative expression, belongs to all and it is the collaboration of countless artists, technicians, and audience who make it what it is - a true reflection of humanity's diverse, rich, and ever-evolving stories, he said, adding that he believes the artist must not be elevated above the art.

“I prefer to remain grounded, constantly aware of my imperfections and my duty to improve. Hence, after considerable reflection, I feel compelled to respectfully decline all such titles or prefixes. I humbly request that all my fans, the media, members of film fraternity, party cadre and fellow Indians, to here on after, refer to me simply as Kamal Haasan or Kamal or KH,” he added.