Kamal hassan

Movies / Cinema: English | Hindi | Tamil | Malayalam | Telugu| Kannada | Gujarathi | Bengali | Marathi
Film Directors| Singers & Artists| Playback singers| songs, Carnatic, Music sites | Entertainment News
Language sites: Arabic|Gujarati |Hindi |Kannada | Malayalam| Marathi|Punjabi|Tamil| Telugu

Tamil Actors, Actress | List of Tamil Movies | Trailers | Reviews | Photos- Actors , Actress, Movies

Kamal Haasan (born November 7, 1954 in Paramakudi, India) is an Indian film actor and director, considered among the leading method actors of Indian cinema.

Kamal Haasan made his film debut as a 6-year-old child artiste, in the 1960 film, Kalathur Kannamma, directed by A. Bhimsingh. He was cast along with the veteran Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan in the film, which won him the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. He acted as a child actor in five other Tamil films in the subsequent few years co-starring with popular actors at the era, including Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran.

Following a nine year hiatus from films, to concentrate on his education, Haasan returned with a series of low budget films in 1972, in all of which he played supporting roles to more estblished actors. These films included roles in Arangetram and Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, both co-starring Sivakumar. His final supporting role before establishing himself as a lead actor was in Naan Avanillai, which became a trendsetter for some of Haasan's later ventures.

Kamal Haasan first received a regional Filmfare Award for acting for his role in the Malayalam film Kanyakumari (1974). In the next four years, he won six regional Best Actor Filmfare Awards, including four consecutive Best Tamil Actor Awards. After a series of less-successful films, he acted in director K. Balachander's Apoorva Raagangal, an exploration of age-gap relationships; the film is also known for introducing another prominent Tamil actor, Rajnikanth. The 1970s, especially between the mid- and late 1970s, was a period that saw Kamal Haasan's frequent collaboration with K. Balachander, who also cast him in many of his socially-themed films such as Avargal (1977). The film won Haasan his first Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. In 1976, Haasan appeared in the drama Moondru Mudichu with Rajnikanth and Sridevi, another K. Balachander film, Manmadha Leelai, and Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, which won him his second consecutive Best Actor Award. 16 Vayathinile won him his third consecutive award, where he appeared as an mentally ill villager, once again alongside Rajnikanth and Sridevi. The fourth consecutive award came with Sigappu Rojakal in which he appeared as an anti-hero who is a psychopathic sexual killer. Furthermore in the late seventies, Haasan appeared in successful films such as the comedy, Ninaithale Inikkum and the horror film, Neeya.

Following his increased prominence in the latter half of the 1970s, Haasan was considered a major Tamil film star at the turn of the decade. His popular pairing with the actress Sridevi continued with Guru and Varumayin Niram Sigappu in 1980. Both films were blockbuster successes for these actors. Kamal Haasan also made guest/cameo appearances, such as in the Rajnikanth film Thillu Mullu; Rajnikanth had previously appeared in some of Kamal Haasans previous films.

100th career film appearance was in 1981's 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. His next acting role, in Ek Duuje Ke Liye, became his first Hindi-language film. It was the remake of his previous Telugu-language film, Maro Charithra by K. Balachandar. Following a year of starring in commercially-oriented films, Haasan won his first of three National Awards for Best Actor with his portrayal of a school teacher who looks after a mentally retarded girl in Balu Mahendra's Moondram Pirai. Till 1985, Haasan began to appear in more Hindi language films, which went relatively unnoticed but his performance in Saagar, won him both the Filmfare Best Actor Award as well as the Best Supporting Actor Award, making him the first actor to win both awards for a single film in the award's history. Saagar portayed him alongisde Rishi Kapoor both of whom were pinning for a woman, but Haasan ultimately loses out. Haasan also appeared in Geraftaar, a film which failed to make an impact upon release, but today is known for featuring three prominent actors in Indian cinema: Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth and Haasan. He featured in Tamil cinema's first sequel Japanil Kalyanaraman, which followed up his previous, Kalyanaraman as well as acting in Uruvangal Maralam co-starring Sivaji Ganesan and Rajnikanth.

In the mid-1980's, Haasan appeared in two legendary Telugu language films, Sagara Sangamam and Swathi Muthyam with director, Kasinadhuni Viswanath. The latter film was India's representative for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film in 1986. Whilst, the former film portrayed Haasan as a drunkard classical dancer, Swathi Muthyam portrays him as an autistic person attempting to change society. Following more successful film such as Punnagai Mannan, in which he portrays dual roles including a satire of Charlie Chaplin and Vetri Vizha as an amnesiac, Haasan's most worldwide recognized role came in Mani Rathnam's 1987, trendsetter, Nayagan. Nayagan, commonly referred to "The Godfather" of Tamil cinema, portrays the life of an underworld don in Bombay. The story revolves around the life of a real-life underworld don called Varadarajan Mudaliar, whilst sympathetically depicting the struggle of South Indians living in Mumbai. The film helped Kamal Haasan secure a 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 as well as being included in the Time top 100 movies list. In 1988, Haasan appeared in his only silent film to date; appearing in the black comedy, Pushpak, which was dubbed as a "speechless classic" with reviewers stating that "Haasan surpasses himself", delivering an all time best performance. Apoorva Sagodharargal became Haasan's first attempt at playing a triple role. The commercial film portrayed him in a role as a dwarf, making it the first time that an actor had attempted to play such a role. He then attempted dual roles in Indrudu Chandrudu and its Tamil remake, winning the regional Best Actor Award for his performance.

Michael Madhana Kamarajan, saw Haasan go one step further, acting in four different roles as quadruplets, the film started an ongoing collabaration for comedy films between Haasan and Crazy Mohan, a dialogue writer. Haasan won successive best actor awards for his portrayal of the protoganist in Guna and in Thevar Magan, where he played the son of noted actor, Sivaji Ganesan. The 1990s saw Kamal breaking out of the romantic hero mould to explore some more gritty, unconventional roles. Following a series of unsuccesful projects in the mid-1990s, with experimentals such as Singaravelan, Maharasan and Kalaignan; Haasan began to appear in comedies such as Sathi Leelavathi, based on the English film, She-Devil as well as renewing his collobaration with Kasinadhuni Viswanath in his last Telugu language film till date, Subha Sankalpam. In 1996, Haasan starred in the police cop story, Kuruthipunal, which met with a strong critical reception is recognised by some to have set high benchmarks for other action films in that period. His success in Kuruthipunal, was followed by his third National Film Award for Best Actor in Indian. Playing dual roles of a freedom fighter and his untrustful son, the film also won Haasan regional awards and plaudits for his portrayal in the blockbuster. Haasan's performance was described as "superb" by critics, who also dubbed the "The biggest film ever made on the Indian Screen".

Haasan appeared as a woman in Avvai Shanmughi, which was inspired by the comedy flick, Mrs. Doubtfire, bringing him praise for his portrayal. In 1997, Haasan began his maiden directorial venture, the biopic of Mohammed Yusuf Khan, Marudhanayagam. However the film, which was started by Queen Elizabeth II, failed to complete its schedules with only half an hour and a trailer being recorded during its shoot. The film's ambitious budget forced Haasan to abandon the project at the time; if made, the film would have been been the costliest film ever made in Asia. Haasan soon made his debut as director with a remake of Avvai Shanmughi in Hindi titled Chachi 420, which became a success upon release. Kamal Haasan's direction was praised as "fantastic" and that he "handles every scene with precision" with "the fine tuning it takes to become a wonderful director", whilst his performance was applauded as "nothing less than brilliance".


Following a two year hiatus in Indian cinema, Haasan 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. Haasan also donned technical roles as the writer, the lyricist and the choreogrpaher as well as producing the film under his home banner. The bilingual venture, starring himself in the lead role alongside Shahrukh Khan and Rani Mukerji failed to become successful commercially but became critically acclaimed. Haasan was praised for his "technical wizardry" and acting, but critics called the film "hard to categorize" and "too controversial". His following film, the much-hyped Aalavandhan, where he portrayed two distinct roles; of one, he had his head tonsured and gained ten kilograms for also failed to live up to expectations at the box-office.

Following a series of successful comedies in Thenali, Panchathantiram and Pammal K. Sambandam and a couple of guest appearances, Haasan directed his third feature film in Virumaandi. Virumandi, became the first Tamil film to feature different sides of the story, surrounding the controversy of the death penalty. Haasan's directorial work earned reviews that claimed it was "technical excellence in every sphere", however the film only broke even at the box-office, failing to capitalize on its publicity. Haasan also appeared in Anbe Sivam alongside close friend, Madhavan, in a film he was claimed to have ghost-directed. Priyadarshan, who started the film departed allowing commercial director Sundar C make a film unknown to his usual genre; furthermore the film also preached views of atheism, which Haasan is renowned for following. Anbe Sivam told the story of Nallasivam, enacted by Haasan as an idealist, social activist and communist, whose past is poignant and present moving. Kamal Haasan's performance was highly lauded by critics with The Hindu stating that Haasan "has once again done Tamil cinema proud", however in contrast, the film failed to become a success, with Haasan later lashing out at award judges, claiming he deserved credit for his script writing and acting.

Haasan appeared in the remake film, Vasool Raja alongside Sneha, which triumphed at the box-office, whilst his following film, Mumbai Express, which he had written for flopped at the box-office, as it opened with the record-breaking Rajnikanth starrer, Chandramukhi. In 2006, Haasan's long delayed project, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu became a blockbuster at the box office. Gautham Menon's Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu was Haasan's first cop film in a decade since Kuruthipunal, earning his portrayal as the New York detective rave reviews. His latest release, Dasavathaaram is the longest film taken for Kamal Haasan to complete. Pairing opposite Asin Thottumkal, Haasan reprises ten roles in the film, a couple of which are claimed to have taken nearly four hours to apply the correct make-up on. The film, which Haasan had to go to court to sort out story legalities, is released in June 2008 and became the most expensive Indian film to date, passing the mark of Sivaji: The Boss, which Dasavathaaram was initially to release against simultaneously. The film, upon release became one of the most successful Tamil films ever.

Following the completion of Dasavathaaram, Haasan is set to direct his fourth directorial venture under the production of Walt Disney Pictures, who by backing Haasan, make their debut in Indian cinema. The film tentiatively titled Marmayogi, is believed to be set in the 7th century and feature several leading stars in the lead roles alongside Haasan. The film was announced with a higher budget than Dasavathaaram and the upcoming science-fiction Rajnikanth starrer, Yenthram, which Marmayogi has been dubbed to compete against. Haasan has still expressed desire in completing his magnum opus, Marudhanayagam if producers will to help him out, however the film if released will be spanned at a duration of over nearly fifteen years, failing to maintain consistency in technology.

Kamal is the only actor to receive four National Film Awards in India. He won his National awards for the films Nayagan, Moondram Pirai and Indian. He also won the national award for Best Child Actor for his performance in Kalathur Kannamma.  He has also received the best actor award at the Asian Film festivals held in 1983 and 1985 for Saagara Sangamam and Swathi Muthyam respectively. Seven of his movies have been sent as India's official entry to the Oscars. Kamal has won the Filmfare awards 18 times.

He was awarded the fourth highest recognition given to Indian civilians - the Padmashri in 1990. He was conferred an honorary doctorate by Sathyabama University, Chennai in 2005.

Kamal was also conferred with a unique honour this year(2007) as "Living Legend" in the film business by FICCI,India.

The all awards presented to him were for his artistic talent. He got the first Abraham Kovoor National Award for his Humanist Activities and Secular Life.
Kamal Hassan also was conferred the Nandi Award 20 times in his lifetime.

( http://www.facebook.com/pages/kamalhassan/41171177368#! )

A small boy was on the stage. He was acting in a drama. As he could not sing and act, since he was a small boy, another person was made to sing for him and that song had been recorded on a tap-recorder and it was put on when the action was taking place on the stage.

               In the middle of the action, due some reason or other, the tap-recorder abruptly stopped and the song suddenly ended too when it was half-way through. The small boy was taken aback and he threw his sight sideways and his eyes met the author of the drama who was standing there.

                He showed the sign, "Neeye Paadu"(you yourself sing). Next moment the boy sang with his lovely voice and he neatly completed the whole song accompanied with action. Those seated in the hall clapped their hands with great excitement.

                When the boy entered inside after that scene was over, his guru embraced him and felicitated him with the following words: "Like this you have to be careful always. You have to face all sorts of situations and manage to win over them...To-day you have succesfully sung at a very critical and trying situation and has earned very good name not only for yourself but also for our company".

                The drama guru who felicitated like this was none other than Muththamizh Kala Vidwaratna Avvai T.K.Shanmugam! Later, the boy acted in such dramas as "Palaappazham" and "Appaavin Aasai". That boy who has been doing proud to the guru and his (boy's) native soil is to-day's mega actor and 'kalaichakravarthy' Kamalhaasan.

                "Avvai Shanmugi"'s 100th day posters had been recently posted on the walls everywhere. In that Annachi T.K.Shunmugam's photo still in Avvai get-up had been inscribed with the following words of Kamal: "I dedicate the mega success awarded by the Tamil people for this film to my Guru.
                                                                                        -Kamalhaasan".

                The good hearts that earlier appreciated Kamal for having selected the name 'Avvai Shanmugi' for the film now even more praised him when he dedicated the victory of the film to his Guru.

                If to-day Kamal is what he is to-day it is because of his talent, intelligence, hardwork and his good traits. In spite of these qualities is it not proper to bring back to memory those who have helped, by themselves remaining  the soil, creeper, water etc., this beautiful flower to spread it's fragrance?

                 The patriot called Paramakkudi Seenivasan and the godly mother Rajalakshmi have brought and given to the world the art treasure called Kamalhaasan.

                In a felicitation function conducted to felicitate Kamal, Dr. M.G.R. is said to have spoken like this:"In a Hindi picture Amitabh Bachchan appeared in woman's get-up and did Panjabi and Marathi dances strictly following the minute details of those dance movements after having learned them with great efforts and extraordinary interest. He earned rare fame too for his acting in that film. A person of that calibre has already praised Kamal's acting talent. After Amitabh's great appreciation is it necessary that any other Indian needs to praise Kamal's talent? is my question now! I felicitate Kamal because of his modesty and fine qualitative traits. From whichever angle we look at Kamal he is beautiful. I feel happy that he is maintaining his body structure and his beautiful youthfulness.

                I haven't met such an artist of rare qualities!" Such was the felicitation said to be offered by M.G.R.

               Kamal was introduced to cinema through "Kalaththur  Kannamma" as a child artist (12-08-1960). The urge within him to achieve something or other is still found in him even to-day and the 'Avvai Shanmugi' Kamal has that unwaning spirit.

               The rare artist Kamal is not merely an ordinary actor. He is also a sound thinker. One cannot pinpoint the potentials that abound within him. He is an art treasure. Only Time could understand him.

                Kamlhaasan first sang in his own voice the film song "Gnayiru Olimazhaiyil Thingal Kuliikka Vanthaal" written by Kavingnar Nethaji for the film "Arangetram". Devarajan had composed music for this. Till to-day Kamal has sung a number songs in films in his own voice. In "Naayagan" the song he had sung which reads like this:"Then Pandi Cheemaiyile" has been reverbrating sweetly in our ears till to-day! In "Raja Paarvai" as a man without eyesight, in "16 Vayathinile" as a lame person, in "Maro Charithra" as a lover, in "Sihappu Roja"  as villain, in "Manmatha Leelai" as a womanizer, in "Sivappukkal Mookkuththi" as a devotee, in "Saahara Sangamam" as a dance artist, in "Apoorva Sahothararhal" as a pygmy, in "Sippikkul Muththu" as a revolutionary and in different types of roles in films like "Kalyana Raman", "Moontram Pirai", "Sahala Kala Vallavan", "Naayagan", "Devar Mahan", and "Mahanadhi",  and in old man get-up in "Indian" and in woman'ns get-up in "Avvai Shanmugi"--such were the muti-different character roles acted by Kamal.

            In Telugu the film introduced Kamal there is ("Aval Oru Thodarkathai") "Anthu Leni Katha"! In Chennai Bhagavathar's "Haridoss" ran consecutively for three years. In Chennai Safire Theatre Kamal's Telugu film "Maro Charithra" ran consecutively for more than one year! The Hindi version of this same film by name "Ek Dhuje Kheliye" ran for more than one year in Northern India also.

            Kamal is the only leading actor who has acted in a film which has neither song or dialogue, the film called "Pesum Padam". In the Telugu picture "Soma Koduthi Soha Koduthi" Kamal acted in double role. A comedy film. In that Kamal sang in his own voice. Kamal popularity after this film went so high in Telugu state that even a very popular artist's fans' association there was said to be renamed after Kamal.

            Kamalhaasan has acted 36 films in Malayalam. In Hindi has done 15 films.

                Then nobody did expect that this child was going to earn great name not only for Tamil cine world but also for the entire Indian filmfield.....! It's only that child artist who is now accomplishing so many historic achievements to-day in cinefield. It's not necessary to spell out and make you understand who that artist is...! Yes...it's the same Kamalhaasan whom you yourself just thought of...! They say that Karnan was born with his 'kavasa kundalam'! Like that Kamal too got President's Award for his child artist role in his very first film itself. His cinema entry that started on that day continued through films such like "Paarththaal Pasi Theerum", " Paatha Kaanikkai', "Kannama Karasam"(Malayalam), "Vaanambaadi" and it extended upto "Aananda Jothi".

                In 1973 as Kamal came to be spotted by 'Iyakkunar Sigaram' K.Balachander, he (Kamal) for the first time acted in Balachander's direction in the film "Arangetram", his remuneration being rupees 500. Subsequently Kamal became a popular hero. In the meantime he worked as assistant dance master under master Thangappan.

                He accepted Avvai Shanmugam as his guru in the field of drama and K.Balachander as his cinefield guru. Kamal was born on 7th November 1954 as the younger son of the traditional type parents Seenivasan and Rajalakshmi Ammal. Kamal has two elder brothers, known as Saaruhaasan and Chandrahaasan and a sister by name Nalini.

               His native place is Paramakudi, in Ramnad district. Even at his tender age he happened to be a person with individualistic and unique character trait. According to the traditional custom of his caste, when his family members insisted upon his wearing 'poonool', Kamal refused to oblige. Thus the devil of casteism could not win over and overpower that small boy....Thanthai Periyar's rationalistic principles attracted him very much!

               Not only in cinefield but in real life also, Kamal has tasted both successes and failures! First Kamal accepted Vaani Ganapathy as his wife but because of difference of opinions both were legally separated and they got divorce. When life's tragic fate started spreading it's tentacles upon him there came Sariga to spread new light in his life dispelling the ensuing darkness away! He married Sariga,  got two children called Sruti and Atsara....Sariga is not only his wife but is also a good friend of him and a consultant. She helps him in so many different ways and presently she plays the role of a costumer also for Kamal's films!

              Kamal has come across and surmounted so many ups and downs in life and now remains one of the good actors at the international level, all because of his sheer hard work! When he was 19 years old he worked as joint dialogue writer for the film "Unarchigal". Including "Apoorva Sahotharargal" he has written screenplay for various films. He has written complete script for the films "Thevar Mahan", "Maha Nadhi" and "Kuruthippunal". He received best story writer award from Kalaignar Karunanidhi for the film "Maha Nadhi". As producer he has so far produced such films as "Raja Paarvai", "Vikram", "Hare Rama Hare Krishna", "Kadamai, Kanniam, Kattuppaadu", "Virotham", "Sathya", "Apoorva Sahotharargal", "Devar Mahan", "Magalir Mattum", "Sathi Leelavathi", "Kuruthippunal", "Thurogi", "Saakshi 420" etc. Kamal, who had developed his skill as actor, dance director and story writer, also did learn vocal music from the carnatic music genius Dr.Balamurali Krishna. Afterwards Kamal sang songs in his own voice in so many films. He sang in his own voice, his first ever film song in "Antharangam", the song being "Gnayiru Oli Mazhaiyil Thingal Kulikka Vanthaal". To appear differently from film to film, he had been taking great pains and undergoing so many hardships. In "Gunaa" he changed his face colour into black through make-up. In "Indian" appeared in the role of a 70 year old oldman. In "Avvai Shanmugi" acted in the role of a woman, with woman's get-up. He has so far tasted so many experinces of breaking his hand or leg while acting in very, very risky fighting scenes or dance sequences!

                In 1979, Kamalhaasan got Tamilnadu Government's "Kalaimaamani" award. He got Indian Central Government's "Padma Sree" award in 1990. Furthermore he received Central Government's National Award for best acting on three occasions for the following films: "Moontraam Pirai"(1982), "Naayagan"(1987) and "Indian"(1997).

   Three times he got Taminadu Government's Best Actor Award. Twice he got Andhra Government's Best Actor Award. He is the only one Indian actor who has received "Filmfare Award" for 18 times. The 'Best Actor Award' of "Dinakaran" Tamil Daily for the year 1996 went to Kamalhaasan too.

                In India, particularly in Tamilnadu, his films have achieved a unique feat: his 6 films including  "Kuruthippunal", "Naayagan", "Swathy Muthyam" and "Indian" have the reputation of having been sent for world famous Oscar Award competitions.

                His fans have given him titles like "Super Actor", "Kaathal Ilavarasan" and "Sagala Kalaa Vallavan". Tamilnadu Chief Minister, Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi has awarded him the title, "Kalai Gnani".

                In the Tamil super-hit film "Avvai Shanmugi" Kamal had acted in woman's get-up. It's Hindi version "Saakshi 420" was directed and acted by Kamal himself! This was his first directional venture. What has been styled as his ambitious venture for so many years, "Maruthanayagam" is now under production through which Kamalhaasan is getting introduced as director in Tamil. He is also acting in the main role as Maruthanayagam. This film's inauguration function was held in Chennai in which Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England participated as Chief Quest.

            Chennai Rotary Club awarded 'Sirantha Manithar' award for Kamal. In Maharashtra state, at 'Ichchalgiranch' village, 'F.I.E award was awarded to Kamal. This particular award has so far been presented to only 5 distinguished persons including business magnate Tata and Kamalhaasan.

            Kamalhaasan's fans' association has been converted by Kamal into a welfare movement. It is now indulging in so many welfare activities and is accomplishing many social services. Kunaseelan remains the head of this forum. In his (Kamal's) native place Paramakkudi, Kamal has constructed a school and it's being run by him. In Osur, a school is being run in Kamal's mother's name. Kamal and his fans are indulging in blood donation,  arranging for free medical service and giving monetory help for heart surgery. Kamal has also created 'Annai Rajalakshmi Trust' and through it, every year, he is presenting cash gift (Porkkili) for the 'Best Writer '.

More...

• Kamal Haasan