Born On: November 7, 1954

Born In: Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu

Nationality: Indian

Career:  Indian film actor, dancer, film director, screenwriter, producer, playback singer, lyricist and politician

Kamal Haasan is one of India’s most proficient actors, who started his acting career as a child artist. He has worked in some 200 Indian movies and has been honored with the National Film Award four times. Throughout his life, he has also been an avid theatre artist.

Childhood

Kamal Haasan was born on 7 November 1954, to D. Srinivasan, who was a lawyer, and Rajalakshmi, who was a housewife. His brothers, Charuhasan and Chandrahasan, have also acted. Kamal’s sister, Nalini (born 1946), is a classical dancer. He received his primary education in Paramakudi before moving to Madras (now Chennai) as his brothers pursued their higher education. Kamal continued his education in Santhome, Madras, and was attracted towards film and fine arts as encouraged by his father.

When a physician friend of his mother, visited Avichi Meiyappa Chettiar (AVM) to treat his wife, she brought Kamal with her. Apparently impressed by his demeanor AVM’s son, M. Saravanan, recommended him for their production Kalathur Kannamma.

Early Life

At the age of 14, Ilaiyaraaja joined the musical troupe owned by his elder step-brother, Pavalar Varadarajan, and was associated with it for the next ten years. Ilayaraja composed his first song – an elegy written by veteran Tamil poet Kannadasan – when he was still working with the troupe. In 1968, Ilayaraja collaborated with Professor Dhanraj to start a music course in Madras. The course concentrated at the overview of Western classical music, study of techniques related to composition of music and instrumental performance. After specializing in classical guitar, Ilayaraja went on to pursue a course in the same, at the Trinity College of Music, London.

As An Actor

His first appearance came in the 1970 film Maanavan, in which he appeared in a dance sequence. He went on to assist Thankappan in films such as Annai Velankani (1971) and Kasi Yathirai(1973). In the former he had a supporting role and worked as an assistant director. His first full-fledged role came in K. Balachander’s Tamil film Arangetram (1973). Balachander cast him as the antagonist in his Sollathaan Ninaikkiren (1973). Kamal went on to do supporting roles in films such as Gumasthavin Magal (1974), Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974) and Naan Avanillai. The same year, he played his first lead role in the Malayalam film, Kanyakumari, for which he the won his first Filmfare Award. In Tamil cinema, he had his breakthrough as a lead actor in Balachander’s Apoorva Raagangal. He played a rebellious young man who falls in love with an older woman. For this character portrayal, Kamal learned to play the mridangam. The role won him his second Filmfare Award.

In 1976, Balachander cast Kamal as a womaniser in Manmadha Leelai; this was followed by Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu (directed by S.P. Muthuraman), which won him his second consecutive Regional Filmfare (Tamil) Best Actor Award. Kamal later appeared in the Balachander drama Moondru Mudichu. Avargal (1977) concerned the women’s movement; for this role, he learned ventriloquism. It was remade in Telugu as Idi Katha Kaadu (1979), with Kamal reprising his role. 16 Vayathinile, in which he played a village bumpkin, won him a third consecutive Best Actor award. In 1977 Kamal starred in his first Kannada film, Kokila, the directorial debut of friend and mentor Balu Mahendra. That year he also appeared in a Bengali film, Kabita, a remake of the Tamil film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai. In 1978 Kamal made his Telugu film debut with a lead role in the cross-cultural romantic Maro Charitra, directed by Balachander. His fourth consecutive Filmfare Award resulted from Sigappu Rojakkal, a thriller in which he played a psychopathic sexual killer.

In the 1978 Telugu film Sommokadidhi Sokkadidhi, Kamal played two parts. This was also his first collaboration with director Suresh Madhavan. He appeared in the musical Ninaithale Inikkum, a snake-horror film (Neeya?) and Kalyanaraman. At the end of the 1970s he had six regional Best Actor Filmfare Awards, including four consecutive Best Tamil Actor Awards.

Personal Life

Early in his career, he co-starred in several films with Srividya. They were reported to have had an affair during the 1970s and their relationship was explored in the 2008 Malayalam film Thirakkatha by Renjith (with Anoop Menon as Kamal and Priyamani as Srividya). Kamal visited Srividya when she was on her deathbed in 2006.

In 1978, at age 24, Kamal married dancer Vani Ganapathy. They divorced ten years later.

Kamal and the actress Sarika began living together in 1988, marrying after the birth of their first child, Shruti Haasan (born 1986). Shruti Haasan is a singer and a Tollywood-Kollywood actress. Their younger daughter, Akshara (born 1991), was assistant director for 2013’s Vishwaroopam. Sarika stopped acting soon after their marriage, replacing Vani Ganapathy as Kamal’s costume designer for Hey Ram. In 2002, the couple filed for divorce, which became final in 2004. Kamal had ved with actress Gautami (who had starred with him in several films during the late 1980s and early 1990s) from 2005 till 2016. Gautami had announced on her blog that she had ended her relationship with him. Gautami wrote on her blog: “It is heartbreaking for me to have to say today that I and Mr. Haasan are no longer together. After almost 13 years together, it has been one of the most devastating decisions that I have ever had to make in my life,”. Shruti, Akshara and Gautami’s daughter Subbalakshmi (from an annulled marriage) lived with them.

Awards

• At age six he won the President’s Gold Medal for Best Child Actor for his debut film, Kalathur Kannamma.
• He is tied with Mammootty for the second most Best Actor National Film Awards with three.
• He won a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for producing the 1992 Tamil film, Thevar Magan.
• He has a record 19 Filmfare Awards in five languages; after his last award, in 2000
• In 2003, his films Hey Ram, Pushpak, Nayakan and Kuruthipunal were showcased in the “Director in Focus” category at the Rotterdam Film Festival.
• In 2004, Virumaandi won the inaugural Best Asian film award at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.
• In 2005, Sathyabama Deemed University awarded Kamal an honorary doctorate.
• He received the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema at the inaugural Vijay Awards in 2006.
• He received the Living Legend Award in 2007 from FICCI.
• Other honours include Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Nandi, Screen and Vijay Awards, including four awards for his performance in Dasavathaaram.
• Recently honoured with S. S. Vasan Award for his lifetime achievement in film industry by Ananda Vikatan.

Filmography

Tamil

• 1960: Kalathur Kannamma
• 1962: Paarthal Pasi Theerum, Paadha Kaanikkai, 
• 1963: Vanambadi, Anandha Jodhi
• 1970:  Maanavan
• 1971: Annai Velankanni
• 1972: Kurathi Magan
• 1973: Arangetram, Sollathaan Ninaikkiren,
• 1974: Paruva Kaalam, Gumasthavin Magal, Naan Avanillai, Anbu Thangai, Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, Panathukkaga
• 1975: Cinema Paithiyam, Pattampoochi, Aayirathil Oruthi, Then Sindhudhe Vaanam, Melnaattu Marumagal, Thangathile Vairam, Pattikkaattu Raja, Maalai Sooda Vaa, Apoorva Raagangal, Andharangam
• 1976: Manmadha Leelai, Satyam, Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, Unarchigal, Kumaara Vijayam, Idhaya Malar, Moondru Mudichu, Mogam Muppadhu Varusham, Lalitha
• 1977: Uyarndhavargal, Avargal, Unnai Suttrum Ulagam, 16 Vayathinile, Aadu Puli Attam, Naam Pirandha Mann
• 1978: Nizhal Nijamagiradhu, Sakka Podu Podu Raja, Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu, Sattam En Kaiyil, Aval Appadithan, Sigappu Rojakal, Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala, Thappu Thalangal
• 1979: Sigappukkal Mookkuthi, Neeya?, Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum, Thaayillamal Naan Illai, Ninaithale Inikkum, Nool Veli, Kalyanaraman, Pasi, Mangala Vaathiyam, Neela Malargal, Azhiyadha Kolangal
• 1980: Ullasa Paravaigal, Guru, Varumayin Niram Sivappu, Maria, My Darling, Saranam Ayyappa, Natchathiram
• 1981: Thillu Mullu, Meendum Kokila, Ram Lakshman, Raja Paarvai, Kadal Meengal, Savaal, Sankarlal, Tik Tik Tik, Ellam Inbamayyam
• 1982: Vazhvey Maayam, Moondram Pirai, Neethi Devan Mayakkam, Simla Special, Sakalakala Vallavan, Rani Theni, Pagadai Panirendu, Agni Sakshi
• 1983:  Uruvangal Maralam, Sattam, Poikkal Kudhirai, Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey
• 1984: Enakkul Oruvan,
• 1985: Oru Kaidhiyin Diary, Kaakki Sattai, Andha Oru Nimidam, Uyarndha Ullam, Mangamma Sabadham, Japanil Kalyanaraman
• 1986: Vikram, Naanum Oru Thozhilali, Manakanakku, Punnagai Mannan
• 1987: Kadhal Parisu, Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu, Per Sollum Pillai, Nayakan
• 1988: Soora Samhaaram, Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, Sathya
• 1989: Apoorva Sagodharargal, Chanakyan, Vetri Vizha
• 1990: Michael Madana Kama Rajan
• 1991: Gunaa
• 1992: Singaravelan, Thevar Magan
• 1993: Maharasan, Kalaignan
• 1994: Mahanadi, Magalir Mattum, Nammavar
• 1995: Sathi Leelavathi, Kuruthipunal
• 1996: Indian, Avvai Shanmugi
• 1998: Kaathala Kaathala
• 2000: Hey Ram, Thenali
• 2001: Aalavandhan, Parthale Paravasam
• 2002: Pammal K. Sambandam, Panchathanthiram
• 2003: Anbe Sivam, Nala Damayanthi
• 2004: Virumaandi, Vasool Raja MBBS
• 2005: Mumbai Xpress
• 2006: Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu
• 2008: Dasavathaaram
• 2009: Unnaipol Oruvan
• 2010: Manmadhan Ambu
• 2013: Vishwaroopam
• 2015: Uttama Villain, Papanasam, Thoongaa Vanam
• 2016: Meen Kuzhambum Mann Paanaiyum
• 2018: Vishwaroopam II
• 2019: Indian 2

Malayalam

• 1962: Kannum Karalum
• 1974: Kanyakumari, Vishnu Vijayam
• 1975: Njan Ninne Premikkunnu, Thiruvonam, Mattoru Seetha, Raasaleela
• 1976: Appooppan, Agni Pushpam, Samassiya, Swimming Pool, Aruthu, Kuttavum Sikshayum, Ponni, Nee Ente Lahari
• 1977: Siva Thandavum, Aasheervaadam, Madhuraswapnam, Sreedevi, Ashtamangalyam, Nirakudum, Ormakal Marikkumo, Aanandham Paramaanandham, Satyavan Savithri, Aadhya Paadam
• 1978:  Avalude Ravukal, Madanolsavam, Kaathirunna Nimisham, Aval Viswasthayayirunnu, Anumodhanam, Padakuthira, Vayanadan Thamban, Yaetta
• 1979: Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
• 1982: Anthiveyilile Ponnu, Maattuvin Chattangale, Ezham Rathiri
• 1987: Vrutham
• 1988: Daisy
• 1989: Chanakyan
• 2010: Four Friends

Telugu

• 1976: Anthuleni Katha
• 1978: Maro Charitra, Vayasu Pilichindi
• 1979: Sommokadidhi Sokkadidhi, Andhamaina Anubhavam, Idi Katha Kaadu, Guppedu Manasu
• 1981: Aakali Rajyam
• 1983: Sagara Sangamam
• 1986: Swathi Muthyam, Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu
• 1989: Indrudu Chandrudu
• 1995: Subha Sankalpam
• 2009: Eenadu
• 2015: Cheekati Rajyam

Kannada

• 1977: Kokila
• 1980: Maria, My Darling
• 1983: Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu
• 2005: Rama Shama Bhama

Hindi

• 1977: Aaina, Kabita
• 1981: Ek Duuje Ke Liye
• 1982: Sanam Teri Kasam, Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya
• 1983: Zara Si Zindagi,  Sadma
• 1984: Yeh Desh, Ek Nai Paheli, Yaadgar, Raaj Tilak, Karishma
• 1985: Saagar, Geraftaar, Dekha Pyar Tumhara
• 1997: Chachi 420
• 2000: Hey Ram
• 2001: Abhay
• 2005: Mumbai Xpress
• 2018: Vishwaroop II