Lilliput Recalls Kamal Haasan's Pivotal Role in Securing 'Saagar' Film Part
Actor Lilliput recently reflected on a defining moment from his early career in a candid interview. He disclosed that it was the legendary Kamal Haasan who played a crucial role in helping him secure a part in the 1985 film 'Saagar', directed by Ramesh Sippy and starring Rishi Kapoor.
How the Opportunity Unfolded Through Kamal Haasan's Intervention
Speaking with Siddharth Kannan, Lilliput recounted that Kamal Haasan had noticed his performance in a previous project. When 'Saagar' was in the planning stages, the superstar remembered him and actively sought him out. Lilliput described the initial surprise, saying, "One day I went to Prithvi Theatre, and people told me, 'Kamal Haasan is looking for you.'" He laughed, admitting he thought it might be a prank at first.
Soon after, he received a personal invitation from Kamal Haasan to meet. In their conversation, Kamal explained the role's requirements, stating, "'Come, come,' he told me. 'We are making a film called Saagar. There is a role, which is parallel to mine. It won't work if it's equal to my character. So I need someone slightly smaller. Go and meet Ramesh Sippy.'" Following this advice, Lilliput met with director Ramesh Sippy, and the meeting led to his casting in the film, which became one of his early notable appearances.
Bonding on Set and Personal Connections
Lilliput also opened up about his experiences working alongside Kamal Haasan during the filming of 'Saagar'. He described the superstar as friendly and engaging, noting that Kamal enjoyed spending time talking with him. "He enjoys a lot, he used to sit with me, we shared laughter. He would listen to me talk, try to understand my psychology, click my photos, and later went on to make Appu Raja," Lilliput shared.
He suggested that Kamal Haasan showed a deep interest in understanding him as a person, with their on-set conversations often extending beyond work to include personal stories and life experiences. Lilliput believes these interactions had a lasting impact on Kamal's creative projects.
Claiming Inspiration for 'Apoorva Sagodharargal'
In a striking revelation, Lilliput claimed that elements of his own life story influenced Kamal Haasan's 1989 film 'Apoorva Sagodharargal', where Kamal played multiple roles, including a dwarf character. When asked if a character was inspired by him, Lilliput responded, "He took my love story." He clarified that Kamal Haasan has never publicly credited him for this inspiration.
Elaborating further, Lilliput said, "That track of love and heartbreak was something I told him, but after a point, I didn't tell him everything. But he kept that situation, and the way in one of the scenes he expressed it... Oh my God, it's brilliant." This adds a personal layer to the film's narrative, which has been widely celebrated in Indian cinema.
Background on 'Apoorva Sagodharargal's Origins
Kamal Haasan has previously discussed the origins of 'Apoorva Sagodharargal' in interviews. In 2020, he mentioned drawing inspiration from Charlie Chaplin, who once performed a scene with shortened legs. Kamal expanded this concept into a full-length film idea, which he initially shared with his mentor K. Balachander.
Balachander was hesitant due to Kamal's recent injuries and the perceived risks, but he included a small dwarf sequence for Kamal in the film 'Punnagai Mannan'. This served as a rehearsal before Kamal eventually made 'Apoorva Sagodharargal', now regarded as one of his most iconic career works.
