Kamal Haasan

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Kamal Haasan

BornKamal Haasan7 November 1954 (age 56)Paramakudi, Madras State, India

Residence Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaOccupation Film actor, producer, director,screenwriter, songwriter,playback singer, lyricistYears active 1959–present

Spouse

Vani Ganapathy(1978-1988)Sarika Haasan(1988-2004)

Partner Gouthami Tadimalla(2004-present)

ChildrenShruti Haasan (born 1986)Akshara Haasan (born 1991)

Kamal Haasan (Tamil: கமலஹா�சன்; born 7 November 1954) is an Indian film

actor,screenwriter, and director, considered to be one of the leading method

actors of Indian cinema.[1] [2]  He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well

known for his versatility in acting.[3] [4] [5]  Kamal Haasan has won several Indian

film awards, including four National Film Awards and numerous Southern Filmfare

Awards, and he is known for having starred in the largest number of films

submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language

Film.[6] In addition to acting and directing, he has also featured in films as

ascreenwriter, songwriter, playback singer, choreographer and lyricist.[7] His film

production company, Rajkamal International, has produced several of his films. In

2009, he became one of very few actors to have completed 50 years in Indian

cinema.[8]

After several projects as a child artist, Kamal Haasan's breakthrough into lead

acting came with his role in the 1975 drama Apoorva Raagangal, in which he

played a rebellious youth in love with an older woman. He secured his second

Indian National Film Award for his portrayal of a guileless school teacher who

tends a child-like amnesiac in 1982's Moondram Pirai. He was particularly noted

for his performance in Mani Ratnam's Godfatheresque Tamil film Nayagan(1987),

which was ranked by Time magazine as one of the best films of all time.[9] Since

then he has gone on to appear in other notable films such as his own

productions, Hey Ram andVirumaandi, as well as the Dasavathaaram, in which he

appeared in ten distinct roles.

[edit]Career

[edit]Early career: The 1960s

Kamal Haasan as seen in his debut,Kalathur Kannamma (1959)

After shifting from Paramakudi with his family for his mother's medical treatment,

Kamal was enrolled at Holy Angels school in T. Nagar. As a child, he became

interested in dance.[10] There are two versions regarding his entry into films. One

version has it that, as a little boy, he accompanied a doctor who went to treat an

ill woman at the home of movie mogul A V Meyyappa Chettiar (father of AVM

Saravanan). On hearing loud shouting from a first-floor tenant of the bungalow,

the doctor became uneasy. Young Kamal Haasan strode up the stairway to ask the

noisemaker not to shout over the phone as someone was ill, leaving the person

astonished. An impressed Meyyappa Chettiar later provided him an entry into

films.[11] The other version is that when young boy Kamal accompanied a family

doctor of Meyyappa Chettiar to his house, producer AVM Saravanan noticed Kamal

as a hyperactive child. He took him over and introduced to AV Meyyappa Chettiar

who was looking for a young boy to play a role in the movie Kalathur Kannamma.

[12]

Kamal Haasan made his film debut as a four-year-old child artist in Kalathur

Kannamma, which was directed by A. Bhimsingh and released on 12 August 1959.

He was cast along with the veteran Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan, winning

the National Film Award for Best Child Artist.[13] He acted as a child actor in five

other Tamil films in the subsequent few years co-starring with Sivaji

Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran. On seeing Kamal's interests in arts, his

parents supported and helped him join the TKS Nataka Sabha, an old-style

theatre. T. K. Shanmugam was Kamal's guru in the theatre. During this period, he

continued with his school education at Hindu High School in Triplicane while still

being a prominent part of the theatre troupe. He learned acting by watching his

guru Shanmugam perform on stage and acquired his interest in make-up from

Shanmugam.[10] [14]

[edit]1970 - 1975: The rising actor

Kamal Haasan - Early days

Following a nine-year hiatus from films, Kamal Haasan returned to the industry

with the hope of joining the technical crew in films but was selected to appear in

supporting roles in several films. He re-entered the film industry playing his first

adult role in Maanavan, appearing only for a dance sequence. It was followed by

supporting roles in films such as, Annai Velankani for which he was an assistant

director, Arangetram and Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, both co-starring Sivakumar. He

played a villain in the film Sollathaan Ninaikkiren and his first character role was

in Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, another female-centric film of K. Balachander. After a

few more films in Tamil, he did Naan Avan Illai, which was his final supporting role

before establishing himself as a lead actor.[15]

He won his first regional Filmfare Award in his Malayalam debut

film Kanyakumari (1974), in which he played the lead role.[16] In 1975, he won

his first Filmfare award in Tamil for Apoorva Raagangal,[17] an exploration of age-

gap relationships. For his role, he learned the mridangam. It is considered as one

of the all-time classics of Tamil cinema and was directed by his mentor, K.

Balachander. The film also saw the entry of Rajnikanth, who would play prominent

roles in several Kamal films.

[edit]1976–1980: Success in the south

Sigappu Rojakkal (1978)

The late 1970s was a period that saw Kamal Haasan's continued collaboration

with K. Balachander, who also cast him in many of his socially-themed films. In

1976, Kamal Haasan appeared in the drama Moondru

Mudichu with Rajinikanth and Sridevi, another K. Balachander film, Manmadha

Leelai, and Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, which won him his second

consecutive Regional Filmfare (Tamil) Best Actor Award.[18] Avargal (1977) was

one of the most sensitive movies on woman liberation, for which he learnt the art

of ventriloquism.[19] The film was also remade in Telugu as Idi Katha

Kaadu (1979) with Kamal Hassan repeating his role. 16 Vayathinile won him his

third consecutive best actor award, where he appeared as a village bumpkin,

along with Rajinikanth and Sridevi.[18] In 1977, he starred in his first Kannada

film,Kokila, which was the directorial debut of another friend and mentor, Balu

Mahendra. The fourth consecutive award came with Sigappu Rojakkal, an anti-

hero thriller in which he played a psychopathic sexual killer. In 1978, he debuted

in the Telugu film industry as hero with the hitMaro Charithra by K. Balachander.

Few of the other famous films in this period were the youthful Ninaithale Inikkum,

the snake horror film Neeya, Kalyanaraman and the Telugu film Sommokadidhi

Sokkadidhi. At the end of this period, he had won six regional Best Actor Filmfare

Awards, including four consecutiveBest Tamil Actor Awards and became a famous

actor in South India giving hits in all the four languages.[18]

[edit]The 80s: Bollywood entry

Kamal Haasan's pairing with the actress Sridevi continued with Tamil

classic Varumayin Niram Sigappu in 1980. Kamal Haasan also made a guest–

cameo appearance in the Rajnikanth film Thillu Mullu. He reached his 100th film

appearance in 1981 with Raja Paarvai, which also marked his debut in film

production. Despite this film's relatively poor reception at the cinemas, his

portrayal of a blind session violinist earned him a Filmfare Award.[20] He followed

it with his debut in Bollywood, Ek Duuje Ke Liye, the remake of his Telugu-

language film, Maro Charithra, also by K. Balachandar. Following a year of starring

in commercially-oriented films, he won his first of three National Awards for Best

Actor with his portrayal of a school teacher who looks after an amnesia patient

in Balu Mahendra's Moondram Pirai, alter reprising the role in the Hindi

version, Sadma.[16] In 1983, he appeared in Thoongadhey Thambi

Thoongadhey playing a double role.

Kamal Haasan began to appear in more Hindi-language films, including Saagar,

for which he was awarded both the Filmfare Best Actor Award and was nominated

for a Best Supporting Actor Award at the same ceremony for this role.

[16] Saagar portrayed him alongside Rishi Kapoor. Kamal Haasan also appeared

in Geraftaar and a few more Hindi remakes of his Tamil films, most famously Zara

Si Zindagi. He featured in Tamil cinema's first sequel Japanil Kalyanaraman, which

followed up his previous Kalyanaraman, and shared the screen withSivaji

Ganesan, doing a guest role in Uruvangal Maralam.

Nayagan (1987), was chosen for ALL-TIME 100 best films by TIME Magazine[9]

In the mid-1980s, Kamal Haasan appeared in two Telugu-language films, Sagara

Sangamam andSwathi Muthyam, directed by Telugu legend Kasinadhuni

Viswanath. While the former film portrayed him as a drunkard classical

dancer, Swathi Muthyam portrays him as an autistic person attempting to change

society and was India's representative for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign

Language Film in 1986.[16] The enormous response to these films

in Tollywood helped him capture a strong audience in Andhra Pradesh, and many

of his later Tamil films were regularly dubbed in Telugu.[21] Following Punnagai

Mannan, in which he portrays dual roles including a satire of Charlie Chaplin as

Chaplin Chellappa and Vetri Vizha as an amnesiac, Kamal Haasan appeared

in Mani Rathnam's 1987 film Nayagan. Nayagan portrays the life of an underworld

don in Bombay. The story revolved around the life of a real-life underworld don

calledVaradarajan Mudaliar, while sympathetically depicting the struggle of South

Indians living in Mumbai.[16] He received his third Indian National Award for his

performance and Nayagan was nominated by India as its entry for the Best

Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1987. It was included in

the Time top 100 movies list. In 1988, Kamal Haasan appeared in his only silent

film to date, Pushpak, a black comedy.[16] In 1989, he appeared in three roles

(one of which was that of a dwarf) in Apoorva Sagodharargal.[16] He then

performed dual roles in Indrudu Chandrudu, winning the regional Best Actor

Award for his performance. In 1989, Kamal Haasan starred in his last original

Malayalam film as hero to date, titled Chanakyan. The film was critically

acclaimed and was a huge hit.

Kamal Haasan as Appu, the dwarf inApoorva Sagodharargal (1989)

The 1980s saw the transformation of Kamal Haasan from a young heart-throb

performer in Tamil films to a nationally acclaimed star appreciated for his method

acting. By the end of 1980s, he had entered and tasted success in Telugu,

Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi film industries, had received Filmfare awards at

each of these film industries, three National awards and had his performances

recognized at international film festivals.[2] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

[edit]The 1990s

Kamal Haasan playing a mentally affected person in and as Guna (film) (1991)

In 1990, Michael Madhana Kamarajan saw Kamal Haasan go one step further

from Apoorva Sagodharargal, acting in four different roles as quadruplets. It

started an ongoing collaboration with Crazy Mohan, a dialogue writer, for

future comedy films.[26] The film became a blockbuster, and his portrayals were

all critically praised; one cook role formed the crux for a future venture by his

production house.[27] Kamal Haasan won successiveBest Actor awards for his

portrayal of the deranged, obsessive protagonist in Guna and Thevar Magan,

where he played the son of actor Sivaji Ganesan. Guna met with critical acclaim

but failed commercially, while the latter became a big success and was remade

into Hindi as Virasat. Kamal Haasan was credited for the story and became India's

submission for the Academy Awards that year. After a series of successful

commercial films such as Singaravelan,Maharasan and Kalaignan, he played a

cheated villager in the emotionally draining and underrated classic Mahanadi. Six

years after it released, it was premiered at the Rotterdam festival.[28] He then

began to appear in comedies such as Sathi Leelavathi, based on theEnglish

film She-Devil. The film, his home production, featured him opposite

comedienne Kovai Sarala and its success led to further regional remakes. He also

renewed his collobaration with Kasinadhuni Viswanath in his last Telugu-language

film to date, Subha Sankalpam. In 1996, Kamal Haasan starred in the police

story Kuruthipunal. His success in Kuruthipunal was followed by his third National

Film Award for Best Actor, for the film Indian.[29] Playing dual roles of a freedom

fighter and his untrustful son, the film also won Kamal Haasan regional awards

and plaudits for his portrayal.[30] Moreover, both films were also selected as

India's submissions for the Academy Awards in their respective release years.

Kamal Haasan in and as Chachi 420(1998)

Kamal Haasan appeared as a woman in Avvai Shanmughi, inspired by

the Hollywood productionMrs. Doubtfire.[31] He initially chose noted adfilm maker

Shantanu Sheorey to direct the Hindi remake of Avvai Shanmughi, titled Chachi

420.[32] But unhappy with the complaints after five days of shoot and after

checking the actual result, he took over as director.[33] [34]  In 1997, Kamal

Haasan began his first directorial venture, the biopic of Mohammed Yusuf

Khan,Marudhanayagam, which failed to complete its schedules with only half an

hour and a trailer being recorded during its shoot.[35] Marudhanayagam had been

speculated to be the biggest and most expensive film in Indian cinema with a

number of high profile actors technicians signing up for roles. Moreover, the film

was launched in a highly publicized ceremony by Elizabeth II of the United

Kingdom during her visit to India in 1997.[36] [37]  Due to budget constraints, the

film failed to materialize into a feature film, but he has since stated his interest in

building up funds for the project.[38]

[edit]2000s: Hey Ram and onwards

Kamal Haasan as Nandhu in Aalavandhanaka Abhay (2001)

Following a two-year hiatus in Indian cinema, he opted against reviving his

magnum opus,Marudhanayagam, and filmed his second directorial venture, Hey

Ram, a period drama told in flashback with a semi-fictional plot centering

around India's Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Kamal Haasan

also took on roles as the writer, the lyricist and the choreographer as well as

producing the film under his home banner. The film, also featuredShahrukh

Khan and was India's submission for the Academy Awards that year.[39] His

following film was Aalavandhan, where he portrayed two distinct roles, for one of

which he had his head shaved bald and gained ten kilograms. To play the other

army major in Alavandaan (Abhay, in Hindi), he went to the NDA for a crash

course.[40] The Hindi version Abhay was distributed by reputed Shringar Films.

[41] [42]  Despite much publicity prior to release, the film failed commercially, and

he opted to repay distributors who had suffered losses with the film.[43]

Kamal Haasan in and as Virumaandi(2004), which won the Best Asian Film award at Puchon International Fantastic

Film Festival (South Korea)

Following a series of successful

comedies[44] in Thenali, Panchathantiram and Pammal K. Sambandam and a

couple of guest appearances, Kamal Haasan directed his third feature film

inVirumaandi, a film about the death penalty which won the Best Asian Film award

at Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.[45] Kamal Haasan also appeared

in Anbe Sivam alongsideMadhavan. Priyadarshan, who started the film, departed

allowing commercial director Sundar C to complete the film. Anbe Sivam told the

story of Nallasivam, enacted by Kamal Haasan as a communist. Kamal Haasan's

performance was highly lauded by critics with The Hindu stating that he "has once

again done Tamil cinema proud".[46]

Kamal Haasan as Nalla Sivam in Anbe Sivam (2003)

Kamal Haasan then appeared in the remake filmVasool Raja alongside Sneha. In

2006, Haasan's long delayed project, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu emerged as a

blockbuster.[47] In 2008, he appeared in K. S.

Ravikumar's Dasavathaaram portraying ten distinct roles in the venture, which

remains one of the most expensive Indian films ever made.[48] Featuring him

opposite Asin Thottumkal, the film became the highest grossing film ever in Tamil

cinema, beating the previous 2007 record, and won him critical praise for his

performance.[49] [50]  In Canada, the film was distributed by Walt Disney Pictures,

the first Tamil film to be done so. The film ultimately grossed more than  250

crores worldwide.[50] [51]  He had written the story and screenplay for the project.

Following the completion of Dasavathaaram, Kamal Haasan opted to direct his

fourth directorial venture, with a film tentatively titled Marmayogi, which after a

year of pre-production became stalled.[52] He then opted to produce and star in a

venture, Unnaipol Oruvan, co-starring him with Mohanlal. The film, which

had Shruti Haasan appear as the music director, became a successful venture for

him the box office.[53] Kamal Haasan worked on his fifth collaboration with

Ravikumar, in Manmadan Ambu, for which he also wrote the dialogues and

screenplay. The film also featured Madhavan and Trisha Krishnan and was

released in December 2010.

[edit]Behind the camera

In addition to acting, Kamal Haasan has also played various roles behind the

camera and is known for his involvement in several aspects of film-making.[10]

[33]  He wrote the story and/or screen-play for many of his films including Raja

Paarvai, Apoorva Sagodharargal, Guna, Thevar Magan, Mahanadhi, Hey

Ram, Aalavandhan, Anbe Sivam, Nala

Damayanthi, Virumaandi, Dasavathaaram and Manmadhan Ambu. His film

production company, Rajkamal International, has produced several of his films. He

also directed the films Chachi 420, Hey Ram andVirumaandi. He considered taking

up film direction full time, if Hey Ram was a success, but did not do so as the film

was a box office failure.[54] In 2010, he stated his intention to direct more films as

many young actors had wished to work under him and gain his direct guidance.

[55] He wanted to turn a technician after his comeback into adult roles. Speaking

about it in a lighter vein, he once said, "Film makers like K. Balachander told me

that I won’t be able make much money by being a technician. So the end result is

that the star Kamal funds the technician Kamal in pursuing his dreams".[56]

Kamal has attended workshops for make-up techniques in US for several years

and once trained as a make-up man under Michael Westmore.[57] Kamal Haasan

is also a playback singer. He has sung close to 50 songs in various languages and

some of them have become hits, like "Ninaivo Oru Paravai" (Sigappu Rojakal),

"Sundhari Neeyum" (Michael Madana Kama Rajan), "Inji Iduppu Azhagae" (Thevar

Magan), "Kanmani Anbodu" (Guna), "Kaasu Maele" (Kaathala Kaathala), "Poottu

Vaitha" (Singaravelan), "Ram...Ram" (Hey Ram), "Yaar Yaar Sivam" (Anbe Sivam),

"Neruppu Vayinil" (Pudhupettai), "Kombula Poova Suthi" (Virumaandi) and "Neela

Vaanam" (Manmadhan Ambu). He is also a song writer. He wrote the lyrics for the

song "Unna Vida" in Virumaandi, and also for five out of the six songs of the

filmManmadhan Ambu. They were well received by his peers in the Tamil film

industry.[58]

[edit]Personal life

[edit]Family

Kamal Haasan filmed with M. G. Ramachandran

Kamal Haasan was born in the village of Paramakudi in

the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, to a criminal lawyer named D.

Srinivasan and his wife Rajalakshmi.[59] He was born as anIyengar Brahmin.[60]

[61]  Kamal Haasan was the youngest of four children, the others

beingCharuhasan, Chandra Haasan and Nalini Raghu. His father was a martinet.

He wanted all his sons (Chandrahasan, Charuhasan, Kamalahaasan) to study and

do well. The two elder brothers followed their father’s example and studied law.

Kamal spent his childhood learning everything except staying focussed on his

studies.

Kamal Haasan had referred to his parents in couple of his films, with references

being made inUnnaipol Oruvan as well as in the song Kallai

Mattum from Dasavathaaram.[62] His eldest brother Charuhasan, like Kamal

Haasan, is a National Film Award-winning actor, who appeared in

theKannada film Tabarana Kathe, among others. Kamal's niece (Charuhasan's

daughter), Suhasiniis also a National Film Award winner and is married to director

and fellow Award winner Mani Ratnam, who collaborated with Kamal Haasan on

1987's Nayagan.[63] Chandra Haasan has appeared as the producer for several of

Kamal Haasan's films as well as being an executive of Kamal Haasan's home

production company, Rajkamal International. His brother's daughterAnu

Haasan has appeared in several films in supporting roles, most notably in

Suhasini's Indira.[64] His sister Nalini Raghu is a dance teacher. Kamal Haasan

later named an auditorium after his sister as Nalini Mahal.[65] Her son, Gautham,

played Kamal Haasan's grandson in his directorial venture, Hey Ram.

[edit]Relationships

Despite his celebrated film career, his personal life had some setbacks which have

been exploited by the media. In his early career, he co-starred in

several Tamil and Malayalam films with actress Srividya. The pair were reported to

have been a part of a notorious affair in the 1970s, with their relationship being

explored in the 2008-released Malayalam film, Thirakkatha by Renjith, with Anoop

Menon portraying Kamal Haasan and Priyamani playing Srividya. Srividya, who

died in 2006, was visited by Kamal Haasan at her bedside during her final days.

[66] In 1978, at the age of 24, Kamal Haasan married danseuse Vani Ganapathy,

who was older than he was. Vani put on the mantle of costume designer for her

husband's movies and was publicized for walking along with Haasan into

the Filmfare Awards South ceremony of 1980 immediately after their wedding.

However, the couple split after ten years together, after Kamal Haasan began

dating fellow actressSarika, confirming in a later interview that he and Vani have

never been in touch since their divorce.[67]

Subsequently, Kamal Haasan and Sarika lived together from 1988, opting to

marry only after having their second child. Of the two children:Shruti

Haasan (born 1986) and Akshara Haasan (born 1991), the former is a singer as

well as an upcoming actress, while the latter is pursuing higher studies

in Bangalore. Sarika took a break from acting soon after her marriage with Kamal

Haasan. However, she replaced his ex-wife, Vani Ganapathy, as Haasan's costume

designer, with acclaimed work in Hey Ram. The couple filed for divorce in 2002,

with Sarika estranging herself from Kamal Haasan by the end of the procedure in

2004.[68] His intimate relationship with co-star Simran Bagga, who is twenty-two

years younger, became the reason for the split.[69] However, Haasan's

relationship with Simran, who appeared opposite him in two consecutive ventures

with Pammal K. Sambandam and Panchathantiram, was short-lived as Simran

went on to marry her childhood friend in late 2003.[69] Haasan now lives with

former actress Gouthami Tadimalla, who co-starred with him in several films in the

late 80s and early 90s. He had helped her during her traumatic experience

suffering from breast cancer and the pair have been in a domestic relationship

since 2005. Along with Shruti and Akshara, Gouthami's daughter, Subbalakshmi,

from an annulled marriage also lives with them.[70]

[edit]Religious views

Kamal Haasan, despite being born into a Hindu Brahmin family, has declared

himself as an atheist; many of his films, notably Mahanadi and the two films co-

written by Kamal Haasan (Anbe Sivam and Dasavathaaram), have featured anti-

theistic views.[71] Kamal Haasan, has also been mistaken for a Muslim due to the

Islamic nature of his surname, and was famously stopped for his name at Toronto

Pearson International Airport in 2002.[72] The name originated from a friend of his

father, Yaakob Hassan, a Muslim freedom fighter who spent time in prison with

Kamal Haasan's father while imprisoned by the British. Yaakob Hassan had

protected Srinivasan from other prisoners who hated the Brahmins. Later, he paid

tribute to his friend by incorporating part of his name into his sons’ names.[73]

[edit]Social service

Kamal Haasan is actively involved in several social service activities through his

fan clubs under the banner Kamal Narpani Iyakkam. (Kamal Welfare

Association) [74] [75]  His fan clubs are involved in organising blood and eye

donation drives and donating education materials to school students.[76] [77] [78]

[79]  He received the first Abraham Kovoor National Award for his Humanist

Activities and Secular Life in 2004.[80]He has turned his fan associations into

social service organisations. He was also the project ambassador of Hridayaragam

2010, a fundraiser to set up an orphanage for HIV/AIDS-affected children.[81] In

September 2010, Kamal Haasan launched a children’s cancer relief fund and

presented roses to children with cancer at Sri Ramachandra University in Porur on

the outskirts of Chennai.[82] He has also pledged to endorse consumer products

and use the money for social service.[83]

[edit]Literary contributions

Kamal Haasan was involved in running the magazine Mayyam, which was run by

the Kamal Haasan Welfare Association (Narpani Iyakkam). His views on a wide

range of issues including cinema, child and drug abuse and the Kashmir conflict,

have been collected and published as a book titled Thedi Theerpom Va (Come,

Let's Solve Together), by his fan association.[84] His interest in Tamil

literature and his own writing skills are well known.[85] [86]

[edit]Awards and honors

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan, a Padma Shri holder, is the most decorated actor in terms of

awards in the history of Indian cinema.[80] He holds the record for the

most National Film Awards for an actor (four), three awards for Best Actor, and

one for Best Child Artist. Moreover, Kamal Haasan holds a record

nineteen Filmfare Awards, ranging across five languages. After his latest award in

2000, he wrote to the organization requesting exemption from further awards.

[80] In 2003, his films Hey Ram, Pushpak, Nayagan and Kuruthipunal were

showcased under the "Director in Focus" category at the Rotterdam Film Festival.

[87] In 2004, Virumaandi won the very first "Best Asian film" award at Puchon

International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan).[45] [87]

In 2005, Sathyabama Deemed University awarded Kamal Haasan an honorary

doctorate.[88] He received the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in

Indian Cinema at the 2006 ceremony of the inaugural Vijay Awards.[89] He

received the Living Legend Award in 2007 fromFICCI, which recognizes

outstanding personalities from the entertainment arena and honors them with

awards at their annual global convention, FRAMES.[90] In 2010, the United

Progressive Alliance government organised a retrospective of Kamal Haasan's

films. During that event, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika

Soni said the actor fell under a special category, as his cinema broke barriers of

language and region.[91] The same year, the Government of Kerala honoured him

for completing 50 years in Indian cinema during the inauguration of

statewide Onam celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram. A light-and-sound show

titled “Suvarna Kamalam” to mark Kamal’s 50 years in Indian cinema, conceived

by director T. K. Rajiv Kumar, was the highlight of the evening.[92]

Kamal Haasan is also a recipient of the Kalaimamani Award from the Government

of Tamil Nadu in 1980. Other recognitions includes a string of Tamil Nadu State

Film Awards, Nandi Awards, Screen Awards and Vijay Awards, including four

separate awards for his performance in Dasavathaaram. In 2009, Kamal Haasan

was appointed as the chairman of FICCI Media and Entertainment Business

Conclave, organised by the entertainment division of the Federation of Indian

Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).[93]

[edit]Acclaim and criticism

Kamal Hassan, widely respected and admired in the Indian film industry, is often

praised as someone who would have won many Oscars, if he had been born

outside India. His mentor K. Balachandar, while agreeing with such sentiment,

says in that case Kamal would not have been able to have a diverse acting career

and the adulation he has now.[94] [95]  Mani Ratnam, who directed Kamal

in Nayagan, has claimed he has missed working with Kamal.[96] Veteran Tamil

actor Nagesh rated Kamal Hassan as the best actor he had seen.[97] Kamal

Hassan's contributions to films have been lavishly praised by his peers in the

Indian film industry like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachan and Aamir Khan.[98]

[98] [99]  Younger actors and film makers like Surya, Madhavan, Bala and Gautham

Menon consider Kamal Hassan as their inspiration.[100] [101] [102] [103] [104]  His

list of admirers go beyond cinema. M. F. Husain has claimed, he found Kamal

Haasan as the most exciting Indian film-maker/actor.[105]

Kamal Hassan has been accused of reusing story lines, plot elements from

Western films without crediting them and also for using sexually explicit scenes

and themes. He has also been accused of elitism, of offending religious

sentiments and of being superficial about the social issues he depicts in his films.

[106] [107] [108]  He has also been dubbed as an actor who consciously

overshadows his co-artists.[100] [109]  Other criticisms of Kamal Hassan include

complaints about his obsession with needless perfection, which has caused some

of his films to overshoot their budgets. Prem Panicker once observed that Kamal

Haasan suffers from "the curse of talent".[110] [111]

[edit]Notable filmography

Further information: Kamal Haasan filmography

Year Film Role Language Notes

1959 Kalathur Kannamma Selvam TamilWinner, National Film Award for Best Child Artist

1975 Apoorva Raagangal Prasanna TamilWinner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award

1976 Manmadha Leelai Madhu Tamil

1977 16 Vayathinile Chappani TamilWinner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award

1978 Maro Charitra Balu Telugu

1978 Sigappu Rojakal Dileep TamilWinner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award

1978 Yaetta Ramu MalayalamWinner, Filmfare Best Malayalam Actor Award

1981 Ek Duje Ke Liye Vasudeva Hindi

1982 Moondram Pirai Srinivasan TamilWinner, National Film Award for Best Actor

1983 Sagara Sangamam Balakrishna TeluguWinner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor AwardWinner, Nandi Award for Best Actor

1985 Saagar Raja HindiWinner, Filmfare Best Hindi Actor Award

1986 Swathi Muthyam Sivayya Telugu Winner, Nandi Award for Best Actor

1987 Nayagan Velu Nayakkar TamilWinner, National Film Award for Best Actor

1988 Pushpak Pushpak SilentWinner, Filmfare Best Kannada Actor Award

1989Apoorva Sagodharargal

Sedhupathy,Raja,Appu

TamilWinner, Filmfare Best Tamil Film AwardAlso producer and screenwriterPortrayed three roles; one was a dwarf

1992 Thevar MaganShakthivelu Thevar

TamilWinner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor AwardAlso producer and screenwriter

1996 Indian Senapathy Bose,Chandra Bose

Tamil Winner, National Film Award for Best ActorWinner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award

Portrayed a dual role

2000 Hey Ram Saket RamTamilHindi

Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor AwardAlso producer, director, and screenwriter

2003 Anbe Sivam Nallasivam Tamil Also screenwriter

2004 Virumaandi Virumaandi TamilWinner, International Award for Best Asian FilmAlso director and screenwriter

2006Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu

Raghavan Tamil

2008 DasavathaaramTen different roles

Tamil

Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best ActorPortrayed 10 different rolesAlso screenwriter

2009 Unnaipol Oruvan Kamal TamilNominated, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award

2010 Manmadhan AmbuMajor Raja Mannar

Tamil Also screenwriter

Actor (167 titles)

2010Manmadhan Ambu Major. R. Mannar

 2010Four Friends Kamal Hassan 2009Someone Like You  2008Dasavatharam Rangaraja Nambi / Govind Ramasaamy / The United States President / … 2006Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu Raghavan 2005Rama Shama Bhama Shama 2005Mumbai Xpress Avinash/Mumbai Express 2004Vasoolraja M.B.B.S Vasool Raja 2004Virumandi Virumandi 2003Love is God Nallasivam 2002Pammal K. Sambandam Pammal K. Sambandham 2002Panchatanthiram Ram 2001Aalavandhan Abhay Kumar/Major Vijaykumar 2001Paarthale Paravasam Guest appearance 2000Thenali Tenali Soman 2000Hey Ram Saketh Ram (as Kamal Haasan) 1998Kadhala Kadhala Lingam 1997Chachi 420 Jaiprakash Paswan/Laxmi Godbhole (as Padmashri Kamal Haasan) 1996Hindustani Senapathy/Chandra Bose 

1996Avvai Shanmugi Pandyan/Avvai Shanmugi 1996Kuruthipunal S. Adinarayanan (as Padmasree Kamal Haasan) 1995Nammavar Selvan 1995Sathi Leelavathi Shaktivel 1995Subha Sankalpam Dasu 1994Duet Guest 1994Ladies Only  1994Magalir Mattum Boss from Head Office 1993Kalaignan Indrajeet 1993Mahanadi Krishna 1993Maharasan  1992Guna Guna 1992Singaaravelan Singaravelan 1992Thevar Magan Shaktivelu 1991Michael Madana Kamarajan Michael/Madan/Kameshwaran/Raju 1990My Dear Marthandan (Guest Appearance) 1989Apoorva Sagodharagal Raghupathy/Appu/Raja 1989Chanakyan Johnson 1989Indrudu Chandrudu Mayor Rayudu/Chandran

 1988/IDaisy James 1988Sathyaa Sathyamurthy 1988Soora Samhaaram A V Pandian 1988Unnal Mudiyum Thambi Udhayamoorthi 1987Pushpak Unemployed graduate 1987Kaadhal Parisu  1987Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu  1987Nayakan Velunayakan 1987Per Sollum Pillai  1987Vetri Vizha  1987Vrutham Balu 1986Naanum Oru Thozhilaali  1986Punnagai Mannan Chaplin Chellappa 1986/IVikram Arun Kumar Vikram 1985Dekha Pyar Tumhara Vishal 'Vishy' (as Kamal Haasan) 1985Geraftaar Kishan Kumar Khanna 1985Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu  1985Saagar Raja (as Kamal Haasan) 1985Andha Oru Nimidam  1985Kaakki Sattai  1985Mangamma Sabatham 

 1985The Pearl Sivayya 1985Uyarntha Ullam  1984Karishmaa Sunny (as Kamal Haasan) 1984Pyasa Shaitan  1984Yaadgaar Rajnath 'Raju' (as Kamal Haasan) 1984Ek Nai Paheli Sandeep (as Kamal Haasan) 1984Aakhri Sangram Raja 1984Enakkul Oruvan  1984Jappanil Kalyanaraman  1984Oru Kaidhiyin Diary David - Shankar 1984Raaj Tilak Suraj 1984Yeh Desh Inpsector Mathur 1983Benki Alli Aralida Huvu  1983Poikkal Kuthirai  1983Sadma K. Somprakash 'Somu' (as Kamal Haasan) 1983Sagara Sangamam Balakrishna 1983Thoongathey Tambi Thoongathey  1983Uruvavugal Maralam  1983Zara Si Zindagi Rakesh Kumar Shastri 1982Sanam Teri Kasam Sunil Sharma (Sunny) (as Kamala Haasan) 

1982Moondram Pirai Teacher 1982Vazhve Mayam Raja (as Kamalhassan) 1982Afsana Do Dilon Ka (as Kamal Haasan)  1982Agni Sakshi  1982Dil Ka Sathi Dil (as Kamal Haasan)  1982Pyara Tarana  1982Raniththeni  1982Sakala Kala Vallavan  1982Simla Special  1982Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya Ratan Chander/Ajay Saxena 1981Ek Duuje Ke Liye S. Vasudevan 'Vasu' (as Kamal Haasan) 1981Aakali Rajyam  1981Do Dil Diwane  1981Ellaam Inbamayam  1981Kadal Meengal  1981Meendum Kokila  1981Prema Pichchi  1981Raaja Paarvai Blind Musician 1981Rama Lakshman  1981Savaal  1981Shankarlal  1981Thillu Mullu Cameo 1981Tik Tik Tik  1980Guru 

 1980/IMaria My Darling  1980Natchatiram  1980Ullasa Paravaigal  1980Varumayin Niram Sigappu  1979Idi Kathakaadu Johnny 1979Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum Alauddin 1979Andamaina Anubhavam  1979Azhiyatha Kolangal  1979Kalyanaraman Kalyanaraman and his brother 1979Neela Malargal  1979Neeya  1979Ninaithale Inikkum  1979Sigappukkal Mookuthi  1979Thayillamal Nannilai  1979Yerra Gulabi  1978Sigappu Rojakkal  1978Amara Prema  1978Aval Appadithaan Arun 1978Chattam En Kaiyil  1978Eeta Ramu 1978Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu  1978Madanolsavam Raju 1978Maro Charithra Balu

 1978Nizhal Nijamakirathu  1978Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi Rangadu & Dr.Shekar 1978Thappitha Thala  1978Vayasu Pilichindi  1977/IAaina Prem Kapoor (uncredited) 1977Aadu Puli Atham  1977Avargal Janardan 1977Kokila  1977Meethi Meethi Baatein  1977Naam Pirandha Maan  1977Ormakal Marikkumo? Chandrashekharan (as Kamalahaasan) 1977Pathinaru Vayathinile Chappani 1977Uyarnthavargal  1977Velankanni Mathave Jesus Christ 1976Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu Ravi 1976Anthuleni Katha Arun 1976Idaya Malar  1976Lalitha  1976Manmatha Leelai Madhu 1976Moondru Mudichu  1976Sathyam  1975Antharangam  

1975Apoorva Raagangal Prasanna 1975Cinema Paithiyam  1975Malai Sooda Va  1975Melnattu Marumagal  1975Pattikatu Raja  1974Gumastavin Magal  1974Kanyakumari  1974Naan Avanillai  1973Arrangetram Thiagu 1973Sollathan Ninaikiren  1972Kanna Nalama  1972Kurathi Magan  1971Annai Velankanni  1971Nootrukku Noor Student 1963Ananda Jyoti  1962Parthal Pasi Theerum  1962Patha Kannikkai  1960Kalathur Kannamma  1960Mavoori Ammayi  Hide  Writer (13 titles)2010Manmadhan Ambu  2008Dasavatharam (dialogue / story)  2005Ramji Londonwaley (original story / as Padmashree Kamal Haasan)  2005Mumbai Xpress (Tamil dialogue / story)  2004Virumandi (writer)  2003Nala Damayanthi (story & screenplay) 

 2003Love is God (screenplay)  2001Aalavandhan (novel)  2000Hey Ram (writer)  1999Biwi No. 1 (story)  1997Chachi 420 (screenplay / as Kamal Haasan)  1997Virasat (story)  1992Thevar Magan (writer)  Hide  Producer (13 titles)2005Mumbai Xpress (producer)  2004Virumandi (producer)  2003Nala Damayanthi (producer)  2000Hey Ram (producer)  1997Chachi 420 (producer - as Kamal Haasan)  1996Kuruthipunal (producer)  1994Magalir Mattum (producer)  1993Maharasan (producer)  1992Thevar Magan (producer)  1991Michael Madana Kamarajan (producer)  1989Apoorva Sagodharagal (producer)  1987Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (producer)  1981Raaja Paarvai (producer)  Hide  Music Department (12 titles)2008Dasavatharam (playback singer)  2006Pudhu Pettai (playback singer)  2005Mumbai Xpress (playback singer)  2004Virumandi (playback singer)  1997Chachi 420 (playback singer: "Jago Gori" - as Kamal Haasan)  

1996Avvai Shanmugi (playback singer)  1995Sathi Leelavathi (playback singer)  1992Guna (playback singer)  1992Thevar Magan (playback singer)  1985Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (playback singer)  1983Sadma (playback singer - as Kamal Haasan)  1975Antharangam (playback singer)  Hide  Soundtrack (3 titles)2008Dasavatharam (performer: "Mukundha Mukundha, Krishna Krishna")  1997Chachi 420 (performer: "Jago Gori Chachi's Voice")  1989Suryaa: An Awakening (lyrics: "Ek Nai Subah Ko")  Hide  Director (3 titles)2004Virumandi  2000Hey Ram  1997Chachi 420 (as Kamal Haasan)  Hide  Miscellaneous Crew (3 titles)2000Hey Ram (choreographer)  1997Chachi 420 (presenter - as Kamal Haasan)  1977/IAaina (dances - as Kamalahasan)  Hide  Thanks (2 titles)2010Endhiran (very special thanks)  1995Three Men Army (thanks)  Hide  Self (1 title)2003Nala Damayanthi HimselfActor (167 titles)

2010 Manmadhan Ambu Major. R. Mannar 2010 Four Friends Kamal Hassan 2009 Someone Like You

2008 Dasavatharam Rangaraja Nambi / Govind Ramasaamy / The United States President / … 2006 Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu Raghavan 2005 Rama Shama Bhama Shama 2005 Mumbai Xpress Avinash/Mumbai Express 2004 Vasoolraja M.B.B.S Vasool Raja 2004 Virumandi Virumandi 2003 Love is God Nallasivam 2002 Pammal K. Sambandam Pammal K. Sambandham 2002 Panchatanthiram Ram 2001 Aalavandhan Abhay Kumar/Major Vijaykumar 2001 Paarthale Paravasam Guest appearance 2000 Thenali Tenali Soman 2000 Hey Ram Saketh Ram (as Kamal Haasan) 1998 Kadhala Kadhala Lingam 1997 Chachi 420 Jaiprakash Paswan/Laxmi Godbhole (as Padmashri Kamal Haasan) 1996 Hindustani Senapathy/Chandra Bose

1996 Avvai Shanmugi Pandyan/Avvai Shanmugi 1996 Kuruthipunal S. Adinarayanan (as Padmasree Kamal Haasan) 1995 Nammavar Selvan 1995 Sathi Leelavathi Shaktivel 1995 Subha Sankalpam Dasu 1994 Duet Guest 1994 Ladies Only 1994 Magalir Mattum Boss from Head Office 1993 Kalaignan Indrajeet 1993 Mahanadi Krishna 1993 Maharasan 1992 Guna Guna 1992 Singaaravelan Singaravelan 1992 Thevar Magan Shaktivelu 1991 Michael Madana Kamarajan Michael/Madan/Kameshwaran/Raju 1990 My Dear Marthandan (Guest Appearance) 1989 Apoorva Sagodharagal Raghupathy/Appu/Raja

1989 Chanakyan Johnson 1989 Indrudu Chandrudu Mayor Rayudu/Chandran 1988/I Daisy James 1988 Sathyaa Sathyamurthy 1988 Soora Samhaaram A V Pandian 1988 Unnal Mudiyum Thambi Udhayamoorthi 1987 Pushpak Unemployed graduate 1987 Kaadhal Parisu 1987 Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu 1987 Nayakan Velunayakan 1987 Per Sollum Pillai 1987 Vetri Vizha 1987 Vrutham Balu 1986 Naanum Oru Thozhilaali 1986 Punnagai Mannan Chaplin Chellappa 1986/I Vikram Arun Kumar Vikram 1985 Dekha Pyar Tumhara Vishal 'Vishy' (as Kamal Haasan) 1985 Geraftaar Kishan Kumar Khanna

1985 Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu 1985 Saagar Raja (as Kamal Haasan) 1985 Andha Oru Nimidam 1985 Kaakki Sattai 1985 Mangamma Sabatham 1985 The Pearl Sivayya 1985 Uyarntha Ullam 1984 Karishmaa Sunny (as Kamal Haasan) 1984 Pyasa Shaitan 1984 Yaadgaar Rajnath 'Raju' (as Kamal Haasan) 1984 Ek Nai Paheli Sandeep (as Kamal Haasan) 1984 Aakhri Sangram Raja 1984 Enakkul Oruvan 1984 Jappanil Kalyanaraman 1984 Oru Kaidhiyin Diary David - Shankar 1984 Raaj Tilak Suraj 1984 Yeh Desh Inpsector Mathur 1983 Benki Alli Aralida Huvu 1983 Poikkal Kuthirai 1983 Sadma K. Somprakash 'Somu' (as Kamal Haasan)

1983 Sagara Sangamam Balakrishna 1983 Thoongathey Tambi Thoongathey 1983 Uruvavugal Maralam 1983 Zara Si Zindagi Rakesh Kumar Shastri 1982 Sanam Teri Kasam Sunil Sharma (Sunny) (as Kamala Haasan) 1982 Moondram Pirai Teacher 1982 Vazhve Mayam Raja (as Kamalhassan) 1982 Afsana Do Dilon Ka (as Kamal Haasan) 1982 Agni Sakshi 1982 Dil Ka Sathi Dil (as Kamal Haasan) 1982 Pyara Tarana 1982 Raniththeni 1982 Sakala Kala Vallavan 1982 Simla Special 1982 Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya Ratan Chander/Ajay Saxena 1981 Ek Duuje Ke Liye S. Vasudevan 'Vasu' (as Kamal Haasan) 1981 Aakali Rajyam 1981 Do Dil Diwane 1981 Ellaam Inbamayam 1981 Kadal Meengal 1981 Meendum Kokila

1981 Prema Pichchi 1981 Raaja Paarvai Blind Musician 1981 Rama Lakshman 1981 Savaal 1981 Shankarlal 1981 Thillu Mullu Cameo 1981 Tik Tik Tik 1980 Guru 1980/I Maria My Darling 1980 Natchatiram 1980 Ullasa Paravaigal 1980 Varumayin Niram Sigappu 1979 Idi Kathakaadu Johnny 1979 Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum Alauddin 1979 Andamaina Anubhavam 1979 Azhiyatha Kolangal 1979 Kalyanaraman Kalyanaraman and his brother 1979 Neela Malargal 1979 Neeya 1979 Ninaithale Inikkum 1979 Sigappukkal Mookuthi 1979 Thayillamal Nannilai

1979 Yerra Gulabi 1978 Sigappu Rojakkal 1978 Amara Prema 1978 Aval Appadithaan Arun 1978 Chattam En Kaiyil 1978 Eeta Ramu 1978 Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu 1978 Madanolsavam Raju 1978 Maro Charithra Balu 1978 Nizhal Nijamakirathu 1978 Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi Rangadu & Dr.Shekar 1978 Thappitha Thala 1978 Vayasu Pilichindi 1977/I Aaina Prem Kapoor (uncredited) 1977 Aadu Puli Atham 1977 Avargal Janardan 1977 Kokila 1977 Meethi Meethi Baatein 1977 Naam Pirandha Maan 1977 Ormakal Marikkumo? Chandrashekharan (as Kamalahaasan)

1977 Pathinaru Vayathinile Chappani 1977 Uyarnthavargal 1977 Velankanni Mathave Jesus Christ 1976 Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu Ravi 1976 Anthuleni Katha Arun 1976 Idaya Malar 1976 Lalitha 1976 Manmatha Leelai Madhu 1976 Moondru Mudichu 1976 Sathyam 1975 Antharangam 1975 Apoorva Raagangal Prasanna 1975 Cinema Paithiyam 1975 Malai Sooda Va 1975 Melnattu Marumagal 1975 Pattikatu Raja 1974 Gumastavin Magal 1974 Kanyakumari 1974 Naan Avanillai 1973 Arrangetram Thiagu 1973 Sollathan Ninaikiren

1972 Kanna Nalama 1972 Kurathi Magan 1971 Annai Velankanni 1971 Nootrukku Noor Student 1963 Ananda Jyoti 1962 Parthal Pasi Theerum 1962 Patha Kannikkai 1960 Kalathur Kannamma 1960 Mavoori Ammayi Hide Writer (13 titles)2010 Manmadhan Ambu 2008 Dasavatharam (dialogue / story) 2005 Ramji Londonwaley (original story / as Padmashree Kamal Haasan) 2005 Mumbai Xpress (Tamil dialogue / story) 2004 Virumandi (writer) 2003 Nala Damayanthi (story & screenplay) 2003 Love is God (screenplay) 2001 Aalavandhan (novel) 2000 Hey Ram (writer) 1999 Biwi No. 1 (story) 1997 Chachi 420 (screenplay / as Kamal Haasan) 1997 Virasat (story) 1992 Thevar Magan (writer) Hide Producer (13 titles)2005 Mumbai Xpress (producer)

2004 Virumandi (producer) 2003 Nala Damayanthi (producer) 2000 Hey Ram (producer) 1997 Chachi 420 (producer - as Kamal Haasan) 1996 Kuruthipunal (producer) 1994 Magalir Mattum (producer) 1993 Maharasan (producer) 1992 Thevar Magan (producer) 1991 Michael Madana Kamarajan (producer) 1989 Apoorva Sagodharagal (producer) 1987 Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (producer) 1981 Raaja Paarvai (producer) Hide Music Department (12 titles)2008 Dasavatharam (playback singer) 2006 Pudhu Pettai (playback singer) 2005 Mumbai Xpress (playback singer) 2004 Virumandi (playback singer) 1997 Chachi 420 (playback singer: "Jago Gori" - as Kamal Haasan) 1996 Avvai Shanmugi (playback singer) 1995 Sathi Leelavathi (playback singer) 1992 Guna (playback singer) 1992 Thevar Magan (playback singer) 1985 Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (playback singer) 1983 Sadma (playback singer - as Kamal Haasan) 1975 Antharangam (playback singer)

Hide Soundtrack (3 titles)2008 Dasavatharam (performer: "Mukundha Mukundha, Krishna Krishna") 1997 Chachi 420 (performer: "Jago Gori Chachi's Voice") 1989 Suryaa: An Awakening (lyrics: "Ek Nai Subah Ko") Hide Director (3 titles)2004 Virumandi 2000 Hey Ram 1997 Chachi 420 (as Kamal Haasan) Hide Miscellaneous Crew (3 titles)2000 Hey Ram (choreographer) 1997 Chachi 420 (presenter - as Kamal Haasan) 1977/I Aaina (dances - as Kamalahasan) Hide Thanks (2 titles)2010 Endhiran (very special thanks) 1995 Three Men Army (thanks) Hide Self (1 title)2003 Nala Damayanthi Himself