Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan (born 7 November 1954) is an Indian film actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and politician, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most versatile actors in the history of Indian cinema. With a career spanning over six decades, Kamal Haasan has worked in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema, establishing himself as a true icon of Indian cinema. He is also known for his innovative work as a director and producer.

Kamal Haasan
Born	Kamal Haasan 7 November 1954 Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation(s)	Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Politician
Years active	1959–present
Spouse	Vani Ganapathy (m. 1978; div. 1988)
Children	Shruti Haasan, Akshara Haasan
Parent(s)	D. Srinivasan (father), Rajalakshmi (mother)
Relatives	Suhasini Maniratnam (sister-in-law), Nasser (brother-in-law)

Haasan is known for his diverse roles in films, ranging from serious to comedic, and his ability to portray characters with depth and authenticity. He has been honored with several awards for his contributions to cinema, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, India's third and fourth highest civilian awards.

Early Life and Education

Kamal Haasan was born in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, to D. Srinivasan, a lawyer, and Rajalakshmi, a homemaker. He grew up in a Tamil-speaking family and was exposed to the world of films and theater from a young age. Kamal Haasan’s early education took place in schools in Tamil Nadu, and he showed an early interest in dance, drama, and film. His mother encouraged his passion for acting, and he enrolled in acting and dance training programs during his childhood.

Haasan made his acting debut as a child artist in the Tamil film Kalathur Kannamma (1959), which won him the President's Gold Medal. His early exposure to the entertainment industry helped him develop a deep understanding of filmmaking.

Career

Kamal Haasan’s career began at the age of five when he appeared in a small role in the film Kalathur Kannamma. As a young man, Haasan moved to Chennai, where he worked with renowned filmmakers such as K. Balachander and Bharathiraja, who recognized his talent and encouraged his acting abilities.

Acting Career

Over the years, Haasan became known for his ability to immerse himself in complex roles and deliver stunning performances. He has portrayed a wide variety of characters, ranging from villains to heroes, from comedic roles to serious and emotionally charged performances. Some of his most iconic films include:

• ''Nayakan (1987) – A crime drama, where Kamal Haasan's portrayal of a Bombay don earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Tamil).
• ''Dasavathaaram (2008) – Kamal Haasan took on ten different roles in this film, showcasing his ability to play multiple characters, a feat that garnered international attention.
• ''Vishwaroopam (2013) – A spy thriller written, directed, and produced by Haasan, where he not only acted but also contributed to the screenplay and production.

Haasan is particularly known for his deep commitment to research and his meticulous approach to acting. In many films, he has undergone physical transformations, learned new skills, or worked with experts to accurately portray his characters.

Directorial Career

Haasan made his directorial debut with the Tamil film Chachi 420 (1997), where he also starred as the lead actor. His directorial work is known for its originality, narrative complexity, and strong focus on character development. Haasan is one of the few actors who also works behind the camera as a producer and screenwriter, shaping the cinematic world he inhabits.

• ''Hey Ram (2000) – A historical drama based on India's partition, where Kamal Haasan played the role of a man struggling with the trauma of the political upheaval.
• ''Vishwaroopam (2013) – A film that was not only a success at the box office but also generated discussions on its content, making Haasan a prominent figure in Indian cinema.

Political Career

In addition to his film career, Kamal Haasan ventured into politics. In 2018, he launched his political party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), which translates to "People's Justice Centre." His political platform focuses on secularism, social justice, and development, advocating for the welfare of the marginalized communities.

Though his political journey is still in its early stages, Haasan has expressed a strong desire to bring a positive change to Tamil Nadu politics, tackling corruption and advocating for better governance.

Personal Life

Kamal Haasan has been married twice. His first marriage was to Vani Ganapathy, a classical dancer, in 1978. However, the couple divorced in 1988. Haasan later entered into a relationship with actress Sarika, and they have two daughters, Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan, both of whom are actresses in the Indian film industry.

Haasan’s family is closely connected to the world of cinema, and his daughters have followed in his footsteps, becoming well-known actors and performers.

Awards and Recognition

Kamal Haasan has been honored with numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to Indian cinema, including:

• Padma Bhushan (2014) – India’s third-highest civilian award.
• Padma Shri (1990) – India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
• Filmfare Award – Best Actor (Tamil) for films like Nayakan and Indian.
• National Film Award – Best Actor for Vishwaroopam (2013) and Thevar Magan (1992).

His body of work in cinema, both as an actor and a director, has earned him national and international acclaim, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest cinematic talents in India.

Filmography

Selected Filmography of Kamal Haasan

Year	Film	Role	Language
1959	Kalathur Kannamma	Young Kalyani	Tamil
1987	Nayakan	Velu Naicker	Tamil
1992	Thevar Magan	Shaktivel	Tamil
2000	Hey Ram	Saket Ram	Tamil
2008	Dasavathaaram	Ten roles	Tamil
2013	Vishwaroopam	Wisam Ahmad Kashmiri	Tamil/Hindi
2018	Vishwaroopam 2	Wisam Ahmad Kashmiri	Tamil/Hindi