Kamal Haasan optimistic about realising "Marudhanayagam" after 28 years

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Kamal Haasan optimistic about realising "Marudhanayagam" after 28 years

Writer: Heidi Hsia

Queen Elizabeth II and Kamal Haasan in 1997

24 Nov - It's been more than two decades since he first started his passion project, "Marudhanayagam," and now Kamal Haasan is more optimistic than ever at finally realising the project.

The actor-producer shared as much during his appearance at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) in Goa, saying, "With the technology we have today, I genuinely feel that Marudhanayagam can finally be made."

The film, co-written by novelist Sujatha and centres on the life of the 18th-century warrior-king Muhammad Yusuf Khan (also known as Marudhanayagam), was first launched in 1997 in the MGR Film City, with Queen Elizabeth II even appearing as the chief guest at the launch.

Queen Elizabeth II even attended the launch in 1997

The actor was to direct and star in the project, but technical limitations and the massive budget required had caused the project to halt halfway. It was definitely shelved after one of its producers, a British company, exited the project. This was due to the 1998 nuclear testing by India in the Pokhran range that enraged the British government.

The actor has consistently spoken about the project for decades now, revealing his interest in finally making it come true.