Jury member Kamal Haasan has selected Aamir Khan to receive a prestigious award as debutant director, reports Shubha Shetty-Saha

Guess it takes one great talent to recognise another. Veteran Kamal Haasan has chosen debutant director Aamir Khan to be honoured with the Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Foundation Award for his film Taare Zameen Par.

What’s more Aamir, who on principle, stays away from any award ceremony has agreed to do so this time around.

 Incidentally, the Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Foundation Awards is close to Kamal Haasan’s heart. He says, “It has a touching story behind it. Fifteen years ago, a father wanted to produce a film for his son. It was the son’s dream to direct a film. But even before he could start the film, the son died in a road accident. The father mourned the son’s death for four years. But after that, he decided to form a foundation and give this prestigious award to debutant directors. I missed getting the award because I had already directed one film by then. So, I was made the jury member. I have been in the jury since then.”

Now, 11 years later, Kamal Haasan has recommended Aamir for the award. “I absolutely loved the film. So I recommended his name,” said Kamal.

Kamal is aware that Aamir who doesn’t attend award functions, has agreed to attend this one. “The awards are genuine and are revered,” he said.

Aamir, on the other hand, simply said, “This is a special award. It’s the first time in 11 years that a Bollywood film has been chosen. That’s why I am going.” The award ceremony will be held in Chennai on August 12.