Rajesh Pillai drank himself to death, but it was not alcohol, says Kamal Haasan
Pillai’s sudden death at age 41 on 27 February a day after the release of his last film Vettah, sent shock waves across the film industry. While there have been conflicting reports about the reason for the premature demise of one of Malayalam cinema’s most promising directors, Kamal Haasan lays the blame squarely on the filmmaker’s addiction to aerated drinks.
Says Kamal, “We should not romanticize the facts or hide the truth just because the man is no more. Nothing is forgiven because someone is dead. I liked that over-weight intelligent guy. He was my friend T.K. Rajeev Kumar’s AD. I had great hopes for him .”
Mincing no words Kamal Haasan attributes Rajesh’s death to his food habits. “No wonder gluttony is condemned in every religion. This guy ate burgers and drank aerated American drinks as if his life depended depended on it,and in total spite of water. His cirrhosis was not alcohol-induced. Much worse pesticides mixed in supposedly refreshing drinks killed him.”
Kamal says Pillai’s death should serve as a lesson to all who guzzle aerated drinks. “I can say so much as encomium for his debut film but a better message awaits through Late Mr. Rajesh Pillai: please don’t mimic eating habits enforced on us by avaricious merchants. Watch and know what you feed on. Animals in Serengeti know better. I wish Pillai had died in pursuit of a difficult film instead of a simple habit to kick. A lesson for my Modern Malayalee brothers and sisters.”
Kamal Haasan says he was planning a film with Rajesh. “I was planning to remake his Traffic in Tamil. I went to their 100th day celebrations. I sat with Pillai and my writer friend Sanjay. We almost were about to start when the producer wanted more as his share to make it in Tamil. My production company Raj Kamal Films backed out and they made the film in Tamil with someone else.”
Kamal reveals the illness that finally killed Pillai had stuck earlier. “Sanjay told me Rajesh was hospitalised and had withdrawal symptoms from excessive aerated drinks. I thought it was a joke. I sent word to Rajesh Pillai to get his act straight and get back to work. He did manage to make a film after that but the damage was done.”
Kamal Haasan is deeply saddened by Pillai’s going. “Some might say at least he died doing what he liked best. I think he liked making films more. But he couldn’t get his priorities right. A few more years of work and I am sure I would have had a lot to say about him. He has denied me that opportunity.”
