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Kamal Haasan

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Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan Born 7 November 1954 (age 56) , , Residence , , India Occupation , producer, director,, songwriter,playback singer, lyricist Years active 1959–present Vani Ganapathy Spouse (1978-1988) Haasan (1988-2004) Partner Gouthami Tadimalla (2004-present) Haasan (born 1986) Children Akshara Haasan (born 1991) Kamal Haasan (Tamil: கமலஹாசன்; born 7 November 1954) is an Indian film actor,screenwriter, and director, considered to be one of the leading method 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 and numerous Southern Awards, and he is known for having starred in the largest number of 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 , 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 '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 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 ). 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 , 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 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. . Shanmugam was Kamal's in the theatre. During this period, he continued with his school education at Hindu High School in 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 . 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 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 . It is considered as one of the all-time classics of 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 and , another K. Balachander film, Manmadha Leelai, and Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, which won him his second consecutive Regional Filmfare (Tamil) Best Actor Award.[18] (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 film,Kokila, which was the directorial debut of another friend and mentor, . 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 , including four consecutiveBest Tamil Actor Awards and became a famous actor in giving hits in all the four languages.[18]

[edit]The 80s: 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 . He reached his 100th film appearance in 1981 with 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, , 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 version, .[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 . 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- best films by TIME Magazine[9]

In the mid-1980s, Kamal Haasan appeared in two Telugu-language films, Sagara 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 , and many of his later Tamil films were regularly dubbed in Telugu.[21] Following Mannan, in which he portrays dual roles including a satire of as Chaplin Chellappa and Vizha as an amnesiac, Kamal Haasan appeared in Mani Rathnam's 1987 film Nayagan. Nayagan portrays the life of an underworld in . The story revolved around the life of a real-life underworld don calledVaradarajan Mudaliar, while sympathetically depicting the struggle of South Indians living in .[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 in 1987. It was included in the Time top 100 movies list. In 1988, Kamal Haasan appeared in his only to date, Pushpak, a .[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 . 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 , 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 , 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 ,Maharasan and , 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 , 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 ,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 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: and onwards

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

Film Festival ()

Following a series of successful comedies[44] in , 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 .[45] Kamal Haasan also appeared in alongsideMadhavan. , 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 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 . 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 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 . The film, which had 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 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 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 .[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" (), "Kombula Poova Suthi" (Virumaandi) and "Neela " (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 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, , 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 . 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, by Renjith, with portraying Kamal Haasan and 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 . 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 honoured him for completing 50 years in Indian cinema during the inauguration of statewide celebrations in . 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 Award from the in 1980. Other recognitions includes a string of Tamil Nadu State Film 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 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 , Amitabh Bachan and .[98] [98] [99] Younger actors and film makers like , Madhavan, and 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 Winner, National Film Award for Best 1959 Kalathur Kannamma Selvam Tamil Child Artist Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor 1975 Apoorva Raagangal Tamil Award 1976 Manmadha Leelai Tamil Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor 1977 16 Vayathinile Chappani Tamil Award 1978 Maro Charitra Balu Telugu Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor 1978 Sigappu Rojakal Tamil Award Winner, Filmfare Best Malayalam Actor 1978 Yaetta Ramu Malayalam Award 1981 Ek Duje Ke Liye Vasudeva Hindi Winner, National Film Award for Best 1982 Moondram Pirai Srinivasan Tamil Actor Winner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor 1983 Sagara Sangamam Balakrishna Telugu Award Winner, Nandi Award for Best Actor Winner, Filmfare Best Hindi Actor 1985 Saagar Raja Hindi Award 1986 Swathi Muthyam Sivayya Telugu Winner, Nandi Award for Best Actor Winner, National Film Award for Best 1987 Nayagan Velu Nayakkar Tamil Actor Winner, Filmfare Best Kannada Actor 1988 Pushpak Pushpak Silent Award Sedhupathy, Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Film Award Apoorva 1989 Raja, Tamil Also producer and screenwriter Sagodharargal Appu Portrayed three roles; one was a dwarf Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Shakthivelu 1992 Thevar Magan Tamil Award Thevar Also producer and screenwriter 1996 Indian Senapathy Bose, Tamil Winner, National Film Award for Best Chandra Bose Actor Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award Portrayed a dual role Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Tamil 2000 Hey Ram Saket Ram Award Hindi Also producer, director, and screenwriter 2003 Anbe Sivam Nallasivam Tamil Also screenwriter Winner, International Award for Best 2004 Virumaandi Virumaandi Tamil Asian Film Also director and screenwriter Vettaiyaadu 2006 Raghavan Tamil Vilaiyaadu Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award Ten different for Best Actor 2008 Dasavathaaram Tamil roles Portrayed 10 different roles Also screenwriter Nominated, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor 2009 Unnaipol Oruvan Kamal Tamil Award Major Raja 2010 Manmadhan Ambu Tamil Mannar Also screenwriter

Actor (167 titles)

2010Manmadhan Ambu Major. R. Mannar

2010Four Friends Kamal Hassan

2009Someone Like You

2008Dasavatharam Rangaraja Nambi / Govind Ramasaamy / The 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

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

1985Dekha Pyar Tumhara 'Vishy' (as Kamal Haasan)

1985Geraftaar Kishan Kumar Khanna

1985Oka Iddaru Krishnulu

1985Saagar Raja (as Kamal Haasan)

1985Andha Oru Nimidam

1985Kaakki Sattai

1985Mangamma

1985The Pearl Sivayya

1985Uyarntha Ullam

1984Karishmaa Sunny (as Kamal Haasan)

1984Pyasa Shaitan

1984Yaadgaar Rajnath 'Raju' (as Kamal Haasan)

1984Ek Nai Sandeep (as Kamal Haasan)

1984Aakhri Sangram Raja

1984Enakkul Oruvan

1984Jappanil Kalyanaraman

1984Oru Kaidhiyin Diary David -

1984Raaj Tilak Suraj

1984Yeh 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 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

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

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 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

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

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 Himself Actor (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 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 Sathyamurthy

1988 Soora Samhaaram A V Pandian

1988 Unnal Mudiyum Thambi Udhayamoorthi

1987 Pushpak Unemployed graduate

1987 Kaadhal Parisu

1987 Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu

1987 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 Suraj

1984 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 Meengal

1981 Meendum Kokila

1981 Prema Pichchi

1981 Raaja Paarvai Blind Musician

1981 Rama Lakshman

1981

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

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