This Saturday marks Kamal Haasan's birthday. As the actor turns 72, birthday wishes have been pouring in for him from across fields, including cinema, and states in India. LDF leader and former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan remembered his "dear friend" on his birthday. Taking to social media, Pinarayi called Kamal "a truly gifted artist," who "has enriched Indian cinema in countless ways, winning hearts across languages and cultures." The leader added, "Beyond his brilliance as an actor and filmmaker, I deeply respect his commitment to secularism, humanism and progressive values. He has always had a special affection for Kerala, and that makes our bond even more special. Wishing him good health, happiness and many more wonderful years ahead. May he continue to inspire us through his art and politics."
Pinarayi Vijayan and Kamal have been sharing admiration for each other for a long time now. Notably, when Kamal faced flak for his comments about Kannada and Tamil around the release of Thug Life, the then Kerala CM stood by the superstar. Likewise, Kamal supported the CM before the Kerala legislative election, urging people to vote for him.
Kerala's current CM VD Satheesan wrote, "You are an extraordinary talent who continues to delight and thrill us just as much today as you did back then. In every single film of yours, there is always something unforgettable that stands the test of time. Keralam has never viewed you as a guest; you have always belonged to our homes, our cinema, and our shared cultural conscience. Wishing dear Kamal Haasan good health, happiness, and many more decades of unyielding creative fire."
Meanwhile, Kamal's daughter Shruti Haasan said that her father recommended her a film and explained why it is worth a watch when she called him to convey her birthday wishes to him on Saturday. "Years and years in your favourite playground of cinema haven't jaded, not even a little bit the love and with which you live this magical life and the gifts you give us through your craft," Shruti wrote.
Mammootty, too, wished Kamal on his birthday. Sharing photographs featuring him with 'Ulaga Nayagan,' the actor wished the latter "good health, happiness and many more years of brilliance." Interestingly, Mammootty and Kamal are yet to share screen space in a film, despite their decades-long association with cinema.
On the other hand, Mohanlal wrote, "Happy birthday, dear Kamal sir! Wishing you continued good health, happiness and a life filled with joy and creative fulfilment. May your extraordinary talent continue to inspire generations and enrich Indian cinema for many, many years to come. Have a wonderful year ahead!"
Mohanlal and Kamal Haasan collaborated on Unnaipol Oruvan, the Tamil remake of the Naseeruddin Shah-Anupam Kher starrer A Wednesday!
Actor Simran, too, conveyed her birthday wish to the superstar. "Your remarkable journey and unparalleled contribution to cinema are truly inspiring," Simran wrote before expressing her best wishes to the actor's upcoming film Sandiyar.
Radikaa Sarathkumar, Khushbu Sundar, and Vijay Sethupathi also conveyed their birthday wishes to Kamal Haasan.