The Asian award given at South Korea to Kamalhassan for his direction- acting in Virumaandi is yet another feather in the cap. Kamalhassan’s first directorial venture was the hindi version of Avvai Shanmughi. This he had to don the director’s mantle all of a sudden due to a difference of opinion with the director. His first directorial debut in the real sense was `Hey Ram’. The film, which tackled the subject of religious divide during the pre independence day and the events that led to the murder of Gandhi, triggered a spate of controversies.

Kamalhassan always showed the courage to choose subjects which were difficult to handle. Instead of choosing an out and out entertainer as the first debut film and going in for the song- fight formula , the actor turned director chose a difficult subject. He burnt midnight lamp to do research for the period film. He had Shah Rukh Khan for company. The outcome was Hey Ram one of most brilliant movies that told the story of pre independence in all authentic. Even an accomplished director like Manirathinam was left speechless. Despite giving many blockbusters hits Shah Rukh Khan till today rates Hey Ram as his career best film.

The next was Virumaandi. Right from the start the film was bogged into controversies. He was accused of using casteism to click at the box office. He was glorifying the Sandiyaar’s was yet another accusation. He decided to bow down to his detractors. He recreated the village and jail in Campa Cola grounds. Instead of a straight narration and glorifying his hero’s role he chose the path of telling the same story as narrated by two individuals who look at the reason of their arrest. Interwoven into it was a social appeal to do away with the death sentence. The casting and performances all round made Virumaandi a classic film. The Asian award first time instituted in this European international festival has increased it’s value by selecting Kamalhassan as it’s recipient.