Quentin Tarantino’s "Kill Bill" Inspired from "Aalavandhan" aka "Abhay"

Note: This post shows the power of South Indian Cinema and the reason why I respect them. So, Bollywood fans, please maintain distance as I don’t need any Faltu comments. Thanks.

Kamal Haasan has inspired many actors and filmmakers in India and that is an open secret. But now, top Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino admitted that he was inspired by the Kamal Hassan.

Quentin Tarrantino

American cinema’s most influential academy award winner director, Quentin Tarantino, who directed many cult movies like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill – 1 & 2, Reservoir Dogs and Inglorious Basterds, has admitted in a conversation with one of our own genius director Anurag Kashyap that a whole sequence in one of his film is inspired by a Tamil film.

Renowned director Quentin Tarantino saw an animated action sequence in a 2001 film which happened to be Kamal Hassan starrer Tamil-Hindi film “Aalavandhan” aka “Abhay”, directed by Suresh Krishna, wherein Kamal played a double role of twin brothers. Taking inspiration from that animated fight scene in the film, Quentin conceived a major sequence in his famous cult classic “Kill Bill” released in 2003-04 (in two parts).

Kill Bill - 2

Anurag Kashyap said, “Yes, this was first told to me by the Sight and Sound critic Naman Ramchandran. I didn't believe it. So, When I met Quentin at Venice I asked him, “Is it true that the ‘Manga’ sequence in Kill Bill was inspired from an Indian film?” He excitedly replied, “Yes, I saw this Indian serial-killer film which showed violence as animated.”

Anurag Kashyap explains, “There is only one Indian serial-killer film which was made before Kill Bill where violence was animated, and that was Abhay.”

Kamal, while accepting Tarantino's compliment, said in an interview: "When I did the animation action sequence 12 years ago it was seen as self-indulgent and odd by a lot of people. Now that it has been endorsed by a filmmaker of such brilliance, critics will be kinder to some of the things I attempt in my films."

How Shameful!!! This shows hypocrisy by Indian media / critics. Abhay’s anime sequences were innovative but lambasted by critics, and Kill Bill was called high on style and a ‘lesson for constructive and creative storytelling’!!

I am still a fan of Kill Bill but why this condescending attitude towards South Indian films by these so called film-analysts. Btw; who cares about Hindi critics?

A Still from "Aalavandhan"

Kamal hassan is “Mr Cinema” for me as far as any Indian personality is concerned. He’s the most complete cinema related artiste in the subcontinent currently (all things considered) and I have argued with many people of so called Bollywood repeatedly.

Agreed to a point because it’s important to note that it’s certainly not Kamal seeking an endorsement, and in fact in his quote what’s suggestive is the sense that within India (where of course he is a legend) some of his more ambitious efforts and gestures are not necessarily appreciated as he would like until someone outside shines a light on it. This is even true where “Hey Ram” and “Virumaandi” are concerned–these films have been given a more thoughtful reception on the festival/university circuit. In any event, this is simply a neat factoid.

What’s funny is still majority of the Hindi audience have negative thoughts about South Indian Cinema and still they think Bollywood as Indian Cinema. Pity on Them.

You can read my original post here.