In a surprising revelation, actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan’s 2000 film Hey Ram has been linked to an old admiration for renowned Bengali actor and director Aparna Sen. During a promotion for her recent film, Shruti Haasan, Kamal Haasan’s daughter, shared that her father’s interest in learning Bengali and his choice of name for Rani Mukerji’s character in the film were both inspired by Aparna Sen.
A Secret Admiration
Shruti Haasan disclosed this little-known fact while in conversation with actor Sathyaraj, who was praising Kamal Haasan’s dedication to his craft, including his multilingual skills. Shruti, with a laugh, revealed the true reason behind her father’s decision to learn Bengali: “At that time, he was in love with Aparna Sen. He learned Bengali to impress her, he did not learn it for films.”
She further revealed that Kamal’s fascination with Aparna Sen was so profound that it extended to his work. In Hey Ram, Rani Mukerji’s character, a simple Bengali woman and the protagonist’s love interest, was named Aparna, a direct tribute to the veteran actress.
About Aparna Sen and Hey Ram
Aparna Sen, the subject of this story, is a highly respected figure in Bengali cinema, known for both her acting and her acclaimed directorial work. She is a recipient of nine National Film Awards and is the mother of actress Konkona Sen Sharma.
Hey Ram, which was written, directed, and produced by Kamal Haasan, featured a star-studded cast including Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Naseeruddin Shah. The film, which was made in both Tamil and Hindi, was controversial for its depiction of Mahatma Gandhi but received widespread critical acclaim.
This new revelation adds a fascinating layer to the behind-the-scenes story of the classic film, showing how even a personal detail can subtly influence a work of art.