As a hardcore Kamal Hassan fan, I pre-ordered this book as soon as I saw the cover, which resembles Baradwaj Rangan's "Conversations with Mani Ratnam." Both books deeply explore the lives of their subjects, leaving readers wishing they wouldn't end.
Unlike the conversational format of Mani Ratnam's book, this one is composed of articulated essays. This approach provides a broader, more comprehensive view of Kamal Hassan's filmography, highlighting his stardom and aura.
Hariharan's method of grouping movies into collections is intriguing, and he effectively draws parallels with Tamil politics, making the book a compelling read.
One drawback is the lack of emphasis on Crazy Mohan and the slapstick, dialogue-based humor that the Crazy Mohan-Kamal Hassan duo delivered. While Hariharan credits MMKR and Avvai, he overlooks Thenali and Panchathanthram.
