When Kamal Haasan once told Amitabh Bachchan he 'hated' ‘Sholay’

'Sholay' remains one of the most celebrated films in Indian cinema. But Kamal Haasan once had a surprisingly harsh reaction to it. The Thug Life actor revealed during a promotional event for 'Kalki 2898 AD' that he had told Amitabh Bachchan he initially “hated” the iconic film. The confession came during a warm exchange between the two legends as they praised each other’s work.During the event, Kamal Haasan spoke highly of Amitabh Bachchan’s legacy. Bachchan, joining via video call, returned the praise with equal warmth. “It is an honour to be in the same film as him,” Big B said. The conversation soon turned personal. Kamal recalled watching Sholay as a young assistant director and how deeply it affected him. “I couldn't sleep that night,” he said.Then came the unexpected admission. “First, I hated the film so much, I hated the filmmaker even more!” he said with a laugh, referring to director Ramesh Sippy.Kamal clarified that his reaction stemmed from professional shock rather than criticism. The film’s scale and craftsmanship left him shaken as a budding filmmaker. “As a technician, I couldn't sleep that night,” he admitted. Instead of dismissing the film, he felt intimidated by its brilliance.He later worked with Ramesh Sippy and confessed that the movie had creatively disturbed him. The storytelling, technical finesse, and performances made him question his own abilities at the time.Kamal ended the anecdote on an emotional note. Hearing praise from Amitabh Bachchan felt surreal to someone who once watched him from afar. “Many such movies Amit ji has done, and to hear him say nice things about my films is something I had not imagined when I was an assistant director and watching Sholay,” he said.Kamal Haasan and Amitabh Bachchan later shared the screen in 'Kalki 2898 AD', which went on to become a major box-office success. The epic sci-fi film also stars Prabhas and is directed by Nag Ashwin. Kamal plays the powerful antagonist Supreme Yaskin, a role that surprised audiences with its intensity.Production for the sequel has already begun in Hyderabad. The next chapter will see the return of Prabhas, Bachchan, and Kamal. While Deepika Padukone is unlikely to reprise her role due to scheduling constraints, Sai Pallavi is rumoured to join the cast. The sequel aims to expand the film’s mythological sci-fi universe on an even grander scale.