Here's The Story Behind Kamal Haasan’s Ulaganayagan Title And It Has A Delhi Ganesh Connection

Kamal Haasan Renounces Title: The veteran Tamil actor took to his social media account on November 11 to pen a long note urging his fans not to add titles in front of his name. The actor reasoned that cinema is bigger than any individual and that he remained a student of it and so does not need to be addressed with anything other than his name. Know the story of how the actor first got the title Ulaganayagan.

Who gave Kamal Haasan Ulaganayagan title? What does it mean? 

The Tamil actor has featured in more than 200 movies across languages. Over the years he has been referred to by several names such as ’Kalai Gyani,’ which means a genius in the arts or ’Sagalakala vallavan,’ to praise him for his astonishing versatility. However, one title - Ulaganayagan became synonymous with the superstars. For the unversed, the term Ulaganayagan translates to ‘universal hero’.
 

It was the 2000 film Thenali that made Kamal Haasan 'Ulaganayagan'.  The comedy film, directed by K. S. Ravikumar, featured the actor in the lead role and was a blockbuster hit at the box office. It was the first time during the credit of Thenali that Kamal Haasan was introduced as Ulaganayagan.

In a 2020 interview, the movie director shared how Kamal Haasan and his brother helped in the making of the movie without any expectations of return. He shared that apart from the remuneration, he wanted to give the actor something special and something he could keep forever. Thus, he landed at his home and shot the promo of Kamal Haasan's introduction shot as Ulaganayagan. In the interview, the filmmaker admitted that the actor was initially hesitant about the title.

What does Delhi Ganesh have to do with Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan?

Delhi Ganesh had time and again expressed his fondness for Kamal Haasan. The actor, who breathed his last on November 10 at the age of 80, rose to fame by featuring as a loyal served in the film Nayagan which was headlined by Haasan. Ganesh was also a pivotal part of Thenali from which the actor got his moniker. Interstingly, Delhi Ganesh was last seen in the recent Kamal Haasan starrer Indian 2.

Kamal Haasan has now renounced all titles 

Asserting that cinema is bigger than any individual and that he remained a student, renowned actor Kamal Haasan on Monday announced his decision to renounce titles such as ’Ulaga Nayagan’ (universal hero) bestowed on him and said he may be addressed by his name, or simply KH.

”Such accolades, given by the people and recognised by esteemed colleagues and admirers, has always been humbling and I have been genuinely moved by your love in conferring it upon me,” the actor said in a statement. The top actor said it was his humble belief that artists 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.” He requested that his fans, members of the film fraternity, media, party cadres and ’fellow Indians,’ to refer to him ’simply as Kamal Haasan or Kamal or KH.’