Kamal Haasan has completed 67 years in the film industry, a milestone that very few actors anywhere in the world can claim. The veteran actor, who started his career as a child artist in 1960, took to social media to thank his fans and share his thoughts on this remarkable journey. In a post that quickly went viral, Haasan made a surprising statement—he called himself “probably the oldest of the Gen Z in cinema.”
The actor, known for his honest and often philosophical take on life and art, did not just celebrate the number. He used the occasion to reflect on what those 67 years truly meant to him. And his words left fans and industry watchers thinking.
Kamal Haasan Says Only 20 Years Count as Real Learning
On August 12, 2026, Kamal Haasan completed 67 years in Indian cinema. He made his first appearance on screen at the age of four in the Tamil film Kalathur Kannamma (1960). To mark the occasion, he posted a detailed note on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
“Thanks to all who wished me well on my 67 years of cinema. Out of those 67, I think I can only salvage about 20 years as my actual learning. The rest was going with the flow of the wastewater.”
Haasan did not stop there. He continued with a metaphor that many found deeply relatable. He compared the film industry to an “unchannelled sea” and said everyone—artists, audiences, and all—are flowing towards it. He added that whatever experience he has gathered can still be improved before people stop counting his years and start looking for better numbers elsewhere.
The actor also pointed out a fact that puts his career in perspective. The Lumière brothers held the first public film screening in December 1895. By August 2026, that makes the film industry roughly 130 years and eight months old. Haasan noted that he has been around for 67 of those years—more than half of the entire history of cinema.
“That is a rather extraordinary thought to take in. Yet, in my own account, I can claim only about 20 years as actual learning. I am probably the oldest of the Gen Z in cinema.”
Why Kamal Haasan Called Himself the Oldest Gen Z
The term “Gen Z” typically refers to people born between the late 1990s and early 2010s. So why would a veteran who started acting in 1960 call himself Gen Z?
Haasan’s comment was not meant to be taken literally. It was his way of saying that, in terms of learning and growth, he feels like a beginner. Despite spending 67 years in the industry, he considers only about 20 of those years as a period of genuine learning. The rest, he said, was just going with the flow.
This is not the first time Haasan has spoken about the importance of staying curious and humble. In 2024, he went to the United States to start a 90-day course on artificial intelligence. He reportedly attended 45 days of the course before work commitments pulled him back. He later told India Today that he found AI to be “beyond all of us” and said people should not touch it without proper understanding.
His comment about being the “oldest Gen Z” fits into this larger pattern. For Haasan, age is just a number. What matters is the willingness to learn, adapt, and keep growing.
Raaj Kamal Films International Celebrates the Milestone
To mark this special occasion, Kamal Haasan’s production house, Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI), released a motion-picture video celebrating the actor’s journey. The video brought together the many characters and faces he has given Indian cinema over the decades.
RKFI captioned the visuals with the lines: “One CHILD, One BEGINNING, One PHENOM, His ERA.” The tribute highlighted how Haasan’s career evolved from Kalathur Kannamma to films like Nayakan, Moondram Pirai, Anbe Sivam, Hey Ram, and Vishwaroopam.
Fans also took to social media to congratulate the actor. Many called him “Ulaganayagan” (universal hero) and shared their favorite moments from his films.
Kamal Haasan’s Journey: From Child Artist to Legend
Kamal Haasan’s entry into cinema was anything but ordinary. He made his debut as a child artist in Kalathur Kannamma at the age of four and won the President’s Gold Medal for his performance. He later made his debut as an adult lead with Apoorva Raagangal in 1975.
Over the years, he has acted in more than 230 films across multiple Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, and Bengali. He has also worked as a writer, director, producer, and playback singer.
His influence has even reached Hollywood. The animated sequences in his 2001 film Aalavandhan were later cited by filmmaker Quentin Tarantino as an inspiration for the animated sequence in Kill Bill: Volume 1.
What’s Coming Next for Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan was last seen in the 2025 Mani Ratnam film Thug Life. But he has several exciting projects lined up.
One of the most anticipated is his reunion with Rajinikanth after nearly five decades. The film, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, has been teased by both actors since before the release of Rajinikanth’s Coolie in 2025.
Haasan also has a film with the fight-master duo Anbariv. In addition, he is shooting for the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, the 2024 sci-fi film in which he played the antagonist. The film, which also stars Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone, recently won two National Awards.
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Fans and Industry React to Haasan’s Honest Note
Haasan’s post received widespread attention, not just from fans but also from fellow actors and industry insiders. Many appreciated his honesty and humility.
His comment about “going with the flow of the wastewater” was seen by some as a subtle response to recent remarks made by actress Kangana Ranaut, who had called Gen Z the “Generation Gutter.” Haasan did not name anyone, but his choice of words did not go unnoticed.
Regardless of the interpretation, one thing was clear—Kamal Haasan remains one of the most respected and thoughtful voices in Indian cinema. His ability to reflect on his own journey with such honesty, even after 67 years, is what sets him apart.
As he said in his post, the learning never stops. And for someone who calls himself the oldest Gen Z, that is exactly the point.
Also Read: Kamal Haasan’s Self-Obsession Changed Key Scene in Munna Bhai Tamil Remake, Claims Co-Star
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