(This article is authored by Alar) 

With a career spanning over six decades, Ulaganayagan Kamal Hassan has excelled in every aspect of filmmaking, from acting to writing to directing to producing. He has given us some of the most memorable films in Indian cinema, such as Apoorva Raagangal, Sadma, Nayakan, Hey Ram, Vishwaroopam and many more.

But Kamal Haasan is also a visionary who predicted the OTT revolution in India much earlier than anyone else. Speaking at a press conference in Abu Dhabi on the sidelines of the IIFA 2023, where he was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award, he said that he saw the potential of the digital space and advised filmmakers to explore it, but the industry disagreed with him then.

"I saw OTT coming much before everyone else. I told everyone that we have to get into it, but the industry disagreed with me. But now, everyone understands what I was trying to say, now that the Indian audience has got a taste of international cinema,"he said.

He added that he was happy to see that OTT platforms have now become mainstream, “I am a great fan of smaller movies. Like babies that grow up to be something really big. I also became a star by (doing) these kinds of smaller films which made it big with audiences. Awards are a different thing. I am talking about the audience accepting it much before the award jury grants them the honour," he said.

Kamal Haasan received a standing ovation at the IIFA 2023 awards ceremony, where he was presented the trophy by his friend and collaborator AR Rahman. The music maestro praised Haasan for his contribution to Indian cinema and called him an inspiration for generations of artists.

Speaking about the event earlier, the legendary composer said, "I am extremely honoured and grateful that I have been a part of many IIFAs and they are doing a great job promoting Indian cinema globally and this time I am being honoured at IIFA 2023 at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Excited to be present at the event."

Kamal Haasan thanked Rahman and the IIFA team for the honour and said that he was humbled and grateful for the recognition. He also thanked his fans and colleagues for their love and support throughout his journey.

"I am a film buff. I'd make the kind of movies that I'd like to see myself. Sometimes I get involved with them, and don't act in them, I produce them, and I am doing it even now. There are a couple of films that I am producing, where I have nothing to do with them, except spend money on them,” Haasan said .