A lonely birthday for Kamal Haasan

The mighty Kamal Haasan turned 62 on Monday, with a very subdued birthday. It did not involve any celebrations, thanks to his partner of 13 years having left, and his health setback.

“My leg, which suffered a multi-fracture in August, received a neural trauma on Monday. The pain is unbearable and I’m on sedation most of the time now. So, there’s hardly any room for celebration,” says the actor in a groggy voice.

Usually every year, Kamal brings in his birthday with two very close friends from outside the film industry as they share the same birth date. “But this time, I had to say no to their invitation; there’s too much pain. I’m sedated with the physical pain, but the other pain is not something I want to go out in public with.”

Gautami’s exit has left him shaken, but he keeps calm. “I’m not about to have public breakdowns,” he says. “Pain is nothing new to me — I’ve dealt with it all my life.”

Kamal also looked to avoid interactions with fans this birthday. “They wouldn’t like me hobbling on one leg and looking groggy with sedation,” he says, even as he looks forward to meeting daughter Shruti and Akshara.

So, is this the unhappiest birthday of his life? “No,” he affirms. “My unhappiest one was my 16th birthday. I was aimless, directionless and without any purpose in life. My father gave me a dressing down. I remember I locked myself in the room and cried bitterly. It’s the only time I’ve cried on my birthday.”