Kamal Haasan
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{{Infobox_Celebrity | name = Universal Hero Kamal Haasan | image = Haasan2.jpg | birth_date =November 7, 1954 | birth_place =Paramakkudi | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Actor | salary = Rs60,000,000 per film (2000) | networth = | website = http://www.universalherokamal.com }} Dr Kamal Haasan (b. November 7, 1954, Paramakkudi, Ramnad district, Tamil Nadu, India) is a well known Indian actor working mainly in the South Indian film industry. He has acted in movies made in four of the major South Indian languages - Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam and has made inroads into the North Indian movie industry via Hindi films as well. He has been awarded the fourth highest recognition given to Indian civilians - the Padmashri in 1992. He has been conferred an honorary doctorate by Sathyabama Deemed University, Chennai in 2005.[1] He is titled onscreen as Universal Hero.
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Early life
Kamal was born to Srinivasan and Rajalakshmi as the fourth and youngest child in his family. He entered the film world as a child actor at the tender age of 6 and has been associated with the film world since then. Kamal learnt the fine arts in his early years instead of school work. As a teenager, he started working as an assistant choreographer in movies and it was during this time that his long and fruitful association with notable Tamil film director, K. Balachander began. A film buff, Kamal is regarded as a trendsetter by many.
Acting career
Though Kamal Haasan made his screen debut with Kalathur Kannamma at the age of 6, it was 16 Vayathinile that established him as a popular teen idol at the age of 23. The very next year, he got his break with K. Balachander's Telugu hit Maro Charithra. Besides Tamil, he has also performed in movies in the Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali. Kamal reached super stardom way back in 1983 and has managed to hold off competition successfully till date by differentiating his films in scripts, roles and getups!
He started his film career with an interest in movie direction, but under the influence of his mentors turned to acting. He did several commercial movies for a major portion of his career, and then slowly changed his style. His skills in filming are technical and exhaustive. He is also a trained playback singer (sometimes moonlighting as a lyricist as well in his more recent films), and Bharatanatyam dancer.
Image:Nayagan.jpg
He has played a wide range of characters including:
- a ventriloquist in Aval Oru Thodarkadhai
- a Disc Jockey in Ilamai Oonjaladugiradhu
- a psychopathic serial killer of women in Sigappu Rojakkal
- a buck-toothed villager in Kalyanaraman
- a Middle Eastern youth with a magical lamp in Alavudheenum Arpudha Vilakkum
- a blind violinist in Rajaparvai at the age of 27 (first screenplay by Kamal)
- a classical dancer in Saagara Sangamam (Tryst with the Infinite)
- a mentally challenged man who fell in love in Swathi Muthyam (Rare Gem)
- a undercover cop in Kaaki Sattai
- an under-world don in Nayagan (Leader) at the age of 33 (directed by Mani Ratnam)
- an unemployed youth who chances upon a week of opulence in Pushpak - the silent movie
- a dwarf circus clown in Apoorva Sagodharargal at the age of 35 (screenplay by Kamal)
- as quadruplets in the path-breaking comedy Michael Madhana Kamarajan
- as an old corrupt Mayor in Indiran Chandiran
- a mentally challenged patient in Guna
- a normal youth turned villager in Thevar Magan at the age of 38 (written and produced by Kamal)
- a hapless villager who lost and found his family in metropolis in Mahanadhi
- a rehab lecturer in Nammavar
- a special police squad officer against terrorism in Kuruthipunal
- a righteous old revolutionary in Indian
- an old aupair nanny in Avvai Shanmugi at the age of 42
- a revolutionary who changes heart on seeing Mahatma Gandhi in Hey Ram
- as an immigrant from Sri Lanka affected with all kinds of phobias in Thenali at the age of 46
- a pair of twins (one of which is a psychopath) in Aalavandhan
- a randy pilot in the comedy caper Panchathanthiram
- a disabled altruist in Anbe Sivam at the age of 49
- a Sandiyar (Fighter) in Virumaandi (directed by Kamal)
- a deaf circus stunt man in Mumbai Xpress at the age of 51
Each and every movie he has acted has something for the filmdom to learn. All the above that has been listed are just names and gives us just the outline, but inreality each deserves enormous applause.
Awards
Kamal is a three-time winner of the National Film Award for Best Actor for the films Nayagan, Moondram Pirai, and Indian. 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 - this itself is a record of sorts as it is more than any other person. Kamal holds the record for the most Film Fare awards (numbering 18). Recently, Kamal Haasan was honoured when his self-directed venture titled Virumaandi won the International Award for Best Asian Film, selected by a European jury, at the eighth Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) in South Korea for the Year 2004. In 2005, he was honoured when Time magazine listed Nayagan as one of the World Top 100 Movies of all time. On the whole kamalhassan has bagged 171 awards (national, as well as international), much more than any other actor in the world. He is one of the most versatile actors India has ever produced.
Career as a film director
Kamal has written screenplays for several of his films and ventured into film direction with Hey Ram, a film based in the times surrounding Indian independence from the British Raj in 1947. It depicts the conflict between Indian revolutionaries and proponents of non-violence during the Indian independence movement. In 2003, a retrospective of his films, including Nayagan, Kuruthipunal, Pushpak and Hey Ram was shown at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands, under the category Director in Focus.
Career as a film producer
Owing to his immense popularity in the Indian film industry, Kamal started producing his own films starting with Rajapaarvai right until one of his recent films - Virumaandi in 2004. His privately-held production house Raj Kamal Films - co-funded by his friends and family - produced several classics like Apoorva Sagodharargal, Michael Madhana Kamarajan, Guna, Thevar Magan, Kuruthipunal etc. For the tax year 2004, the company declared a turnover of $10 million (Rs45 crores).
Kamal renamed his recent venture Sandiyar to Virumaandi owing to violent protests from the casteist political parties and its sister organisations in northern districts of Tamil Nadu. However the film was a huge success! Kamal then acted in a home production titled Mumbai Xpress. It was a bilingual (Hindi and Tamil) and dubbed in Telugu and was directed by long time friend Singeetham Srinivasa Rao.
His magnum opus, Marudha Naayagam, a period film set in early 19th century Madurai about a warrior/freedom fighter Yusuf Khan Sahib. The film launch was inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2005, he launched a new business unit called Raj Kamal Audio in a drive to corporatise all his film commitments.
Personal life
Endowed with a fiercely independent spirit, Kamal is a self-professed non-conformist and a follower of Periyar. However some of his movies have put forward Communist views (like in Anbe Sivam) as well as exposing fundamentalist views (like in Hey Ram)!
Kamal is the first actor to turn his fan club into a service organization. Though born to an affluent Iyengar family, he denied his caste identity. Along with his daughter, Kamal has donated his eyes and also offered his body for medical research after his death, the first Indian celebrity to do so. He was the first Indian actor to promise that he will not act in scenes that portray smoking.
Kamal married Vani Ganapathy in 1978. The marriage was turbulent, issueless and lasted 7 years. Kamal's second marriage was more successful lasting 17 years. He married Sarika in 1985. His first daughter - Shruti - was born the same year while his second daughter - Akshara - was born in 1991. Since 2002, Kamal lives with his long-time girlfriend and actress - Gauthami - and her child. Image:Virumandi.jpg Image:Kamalhasan3.jpg Image:Indian kamal.jpg Image:Nayakan.jpg
Filmography
Listed below is the best guesstimate available of Kamal's 240-odd releases till date in atleast six regional markets.
- 1960 - Tamil debut
- 1962 - Malayalam debut
- 1977 - Bengali debut
- 1977 - Kannada debut
- 1977 - Telugu debut
- 1977 - Hindi debut
As Actor
- 2007 - Marudha Nayagam (shoot commenced in 2000, no release date set) (a) (b) (c)
- 2006 - Dasavatharam (announced) (ten roles)
- 2006 - Vettaiyadu Villaiyadu (post-production) songs trailer
- 2005 - Rama Shama Bama (Kannada)
- 2005 - Mumbai Xpress (a) (b) songs trailer
- 2005 - Mumbai Xpress (Hindi) (a) (b) songs
- 2005 - Mumbai Xpress (Telugu) (a) (b) songs
- 2004 - Vasoolraja MBBS songs trailer
- 2004 - Virumandi (a) (b) (c) songs
- 2004 - Pothuraju (Telugu) (a) (b) (c) songs
- 2003 - Nala Damayanthi (guest) (a) (b) songs
- 2003 - Anbe Sivam (b) songs
- 2002 - Panjathandhiram songs
- 2002 - Pammal K Sambandham songs
- 2002 - Brahmachari (Telugu) songs
- 2001 - Ladies Only
- 2001 - Paarthaley Paravasam (guest) songs
- 2001 - Paravasam (Telugu) (guest)
- 2001 - Aalavandhan (dual role) (b) - remade in Hindi as Abhay songs
- 2001 - Abhay (Hindi) (dual role) (b) songs
- 2001 - Abhay (Telugu) (dual role) (b) songs
- 2000 - Thenali songs
- 2000 - Thenali (Telugu) songs
- 2000 - Hey Ram (a) (b) (c) - Also in Hindi
- 2000 - Hey Ram (Hindi) (a) (b) (c) songs
- 1998 - Kadhala Kadhala songs
- 1998 - Chachi 420 (Hindi) (a) (b) (c)
- 1996 - Avvai Shanmugi - Remade in Hindi as Chachi 420 songs
- 1996 - Bhamane (Telugu)
- 1996 - Indian(dual role) - Remade in Hindi as Hindustani songs
- 1996 - Hindustani (Hindi) (dual role) songs
- 1996 - Bharateeyudu (Telugu) (dual role) songs
- 1995 - Kurudhippunal (songless) (a)
- 1995 - Drohi (Telugu) (songless) (a)
- 1995 - Subha Sankalpam (Telugu)
- 1995 - Sathi Leelavathi (a)
- 1994 - Nammavar
- 1994 - Magalir Mattum (guest) (a)
- 1994 - Aadavaallaku Maatram (Telugu) (guest) (a)
- 1994 - Mahanadhi (b) songs
- 1993 - Kalaignan songs
- 1993 - Maharasan (a)
- 1992 - Devar Magan (a) (b) - Remade in Hindi with Anil Kapoorsongs
- 1992 - Kshatriya Putrudu (Telugu) (a)
- 1992 - Singaravelan songs
- 1991 - Guna songs
- 1990 - My Dear Marthandan (guest) songs
- 1990 - Michael Madhana Kamarajan (four roles) (a) songs
- 1990 - Michael Madhana Kamaraju (Telugu) (four roles) (a)
- 1990 - Indran Chandran (dual role) songs
- 1989 - Indrudu Chandrudu (Telugu)(dual role) - remade in Tamil as and Hindia Indran Chandran songs
- 1989 - Vetri Vizha songs
- 1989 - Sippikkul Muthu songs
- 1989 - Chanakyan (Malayalam)
- 1989 - Apoorva Sagodharargal (triple role) (a) - Remade in Telugu and Hindisongs
- 1989 - Appu Raja (Hindi) (triple role) (a)
- 1989 - Apoorva Sahodarulu (Telugu) (triple role) (a)
- 1988 - Unnal Mudiyum Thambi songs
- 1988 - Soora Samharam songs
- 1988 - Daisy (Malayalam)
- 1988 - Sathya (a) songs
- 1988 - Pesum Padam (voiceless)
- 1987 - Pushpak (Hindi) (voiceless)
- 1987 - Pushpaka Vimanam (Telugu) (voiceless)
- 1987 - Pushpaka Vimana (Kannada) (voiceless)
- 1987 - Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (guest) (a)
- 1987 - Nayakudu (Telugu)
- 1987 - Velu Nayakan (Hindi)
- 1987 - Nayagan - Remade in Telugu and Hindi. Copied in Hindi as Dayavan songs
- 1987 - Per Sollum Pillai
- 1987 - Andarikante Ghanudu (Telugu)
- 1987 - Viratham (Malayalam)
- 1987 - Kadhal Parisu songs
- 1986 - December Pookkal (guest)
- 1986 - Dance Master (Telugu) (dual role) songs
- 1986 - Punnagai Mannan (dual role) songs
- 1986 - Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (Telugu)
- 1986 - Vikram (a) songs
- 1986 - Naanum Oru Thozhilali
- 1986 - Swathi Muthyam (Telugu) - Remade in Hindi as Eeshwar with Anil Kapoor songs
- 1986 - Manakanakku (guest)
- 1985 - Dekha Pyar Tumhara (Hindi)
- 1985 - Japanil Kalyanaraman (dual role) songs
- 1985 - Mangamma Sabadham
- 1985 - Giraftaar (Hindi)
- 1985 - Saagar (Hindi) songs
- 1985 - Uyarndha Ullam songs
- 1985 - Andha Oru Nimidam songs
- 1985 - Kaakki Sattai songs
- 1985 - Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (dual role) - Remade in Hindi as Aakri Raasta with Amitabh Bachan songs
- 1984 - Karishma (Hindi)
- 1984 - Enakkul Oruvan (dual role) songs
- 1984 - Raj Tilak (Hindi)
- 1984 - Yaadgaar (Hindi)
- 1984 - Ek Nai Paheli (Hindi)
- 1984 - Yeh Desh (Hindi)
- 1983 - Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey (dual role) songs
- 1983 - Benkiyalli Aralida Huvu (Kannada)
- 1983 - Poikkal Kudhirai (guest)
- 1983 - Sadma (Hindi) songs
- 1983 - Salangai Oli songs
- 1983 - Sagara Sangamam (Telugu) songs
- 1983 - Sneha Bandham (Malayalam)
- 1983 - Sattam songs
- 1983 - Uruvangal Maarlam
- 1983 - Zara Si Zindagi (Hindi)
- 1983 - Vasantha Kokila (Telugu)
- 1982 - Paadagan (guest)
- 1982 - Afsana Do Dilon Ka (Hindi)
- 1982 - Agni Sakshi (Hindi)
- 1982 - Dil Ka Sathi Dil (Hindi)
- 1982 - Pyara Tarana (Hindi)
- 1982 - Pagadai Panirendu
- 1982 - Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya (Hindi)
- 1982 - Rani Theni (guest)
- 1982 - Ezham Rathiri (Malayalam)
- 1982 - Sagalakala Vallavan songs
- 1982 - Sanam Teri Kasam (Hindi) songs
- 1982 - Simla Special songs
- 1982 - Moondram Pirai - Remade in Hindi as Sadma songs
- 1982 - Andhi Veyilile (Malayalam)
- 1982 - Andhagadu (Telugu)
- 1982 - Vazhvey Maayam songs
- 1981 - Do Dil Diwane (Hindi)
- 1981 - Ellam Inbamayam
- 1981 - Tick! Tick! Tick! songs
- 1981 - Amavasya Chandrudu (Telugu) (a)
- 1981 - Sankarlal
- 1981 - Savaal
- 1981 - Kadal Meengal songs
- 1981 - Ek Duje Ke Liye (Hindi) songs
- 1981 - Raja Parvai (a) songs
- 1981 - Ram Lakshman
- 1981 - Prema Pitchi (Telugu)
- 1981 - Meendum Kokila songs
- 1981 - Aakali Rajyam (Telugu) songs
- 1981 - Thillu Mullu (guest)
- 1980 - Natchathiram (guest)
- 1980 - Maria, My Darling (Tamil) - Remade in Kannada in the same name
- 1980 - Maria, My Darling (Kannada)
- 1980 - Varumayin Niram Sigappu songs
- 1980 - Guru songs
- 1980 - Ullasa Paravaigal songs
- 1979 - Azhiyadha Kolangal (guest)
- 1979 - Yerra Gulabi (Hindi)
- 1979 - Neela Malargal (guest)
- 1979 - Mangala Vaathiyam (guest)
- 1979 - Kalyanaraman (Malayalam) (first film in dual role)
- 1979 - Kalyanaraman (first film in dual role) songs
- 1979 - Idikatha Kaadu (Telugu) (guest)
- 1979 - Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum (Telugu) (guest)
- 1979 - Alavudheenum Arpudha Vilakkum (guest)
- 1979 - Andhamaina Anubavam (Telugu) (guest)
- 1979 - Ninaithale Inikkum songs
- 1979 - Thaayillamal Naan Illai songs
- 1979 - Alavudeenum Albutha Velakkum (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1979 - Neeya! (guest)
- 1979 - Sigappukkal Mookkuthi (guest)
- 1979 - Sommokadidhi Sokkadidhi (Telugu) (guest)
- 1978 - Thappu Thalangal (guest)
- 1978 - Thappitha Thala (Telugu) (guest)
- 1978 - Madanolsavam (Malayalam)
- 1978 - Yeetta (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1978 - Aval Appadithaan (guest)
- 1978 - Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala! (guest)
- 1978 - Sigappu Rojakkal songs
- 1978 - Vayanadhan Thamban (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1978 - Vayasu Pilichindi (Telugu) (guest)
- 1978 - Sattam En Kaiyil songs
- 1978 - Ilamai Oonjaladugiradhu songs
- 1978 - Maro Charithra (Telugu) songs
- 1978 - Nizhal Nijamagiradhu songs
- 1977 - Meethi Meethi Baatein (Hindi) (guest)
- 1977 - Aadhyapaadham (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1977 - Sathyavaan Saavithri (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1977 - Kokila (Kannada) (guest)
- 1977 - Naam Pirandha Man (guest)
- 1977 - Aanandham Paramaanandham (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1977 - Aadu Puli Aattam (guest)
- 1977 - 16 Vayathinile songs
- 1977 - Oor Magal Marikkumo (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1977 - Nirakudam (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1977 - Ashta Maangalyam (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1977 - Kabita (Bengali) (guest)
- 1977 - Unnai Sutrum Ulagam (guest)
- 1977 - Sridevi (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1977 - Madhura Sopnam (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1977 - Avargal songs
- 1977 - Aasirvaadham (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1977 - Sivathaandavam (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1977 - Uyarndhavargal (guest)
- 1976 - Lalitha (guest)
- 1976 - Mogam Muppadhu Varusham (guest)
- 1976 - Moondru Mudichu
- 1976 - Nee Ente Lahari (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1976 - Ponni (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1976 - Idhaya Malar (guest)
- 1976 - Kumaara Vijayam (guest)
- 1976 - Kuttavum Sitshayum (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1976 - Unarchigal (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1976 - Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu (guest)
- 1976 - Sathiyam (guest)
- 1976 - Aruthu (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1976 - Swimming Pool (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1976 - Manmadha Leelai songs
- 1976 - Samassiya (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1976 - Appoopan (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1976 - Agni Pushpam (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1975 - Andharangam (guest)
- 1975 - Raasaleela (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1975 - Mattoru Seetha (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1975 - Thiruvonam (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1975 - Apoorva Raagangal songs
- 1975 - Maalai Sooda Vaa (guest)
- 1975 - Gnan Ninne Premikkunnu (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1975 - Pattikkaattu Raja (guest)
- 1975 - Thangathile Vairam (guest)
- 1975 - Melnaattu Marumagal (guest)
- 1975 - Then Sindhudhe Vaanam (guest)
- 1975 - Aayirathil Oruthi (guest)
- 1975 - Pattampoochi (guest)
- 1975 - Cinema Paithiyam (guest)
- 1974 - Panathukkaga (guest)
- 1974 - Aaina (Hindi) (uncredited onscreen)
- 1974 - Anthuleni Katha (Telugu) (uncredited onscreen)
- 1974 - Aval Oru Thudarkatha (Malayalam) (uncredited onscreen)
- 1974 - Aval Oru Thodarkathai (uncredited onscreen) songs
- 1974 - Vishnu Vijayam (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1974 - Anbu Thangai (guest)
- 1974 - Kanyakumari (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1974 - Naan Avanillai (guest)
- 1974 - Gumasthavin Magal (guest)
- 1974 - Paruva Kaalam (guest)
- 1973 - Sollathaan Ninaikkiren (guest)
- 1973 - Arangetram (guest)
- 1972 - Kurathi Magan (guest)
- 1970 - Maanavan (guest)
- 1963 - Anandha Jodhi (guest)
- 1963 - Vaanampadi (guest) songs
- 1962 - Kannum Karalum (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1962 - Paadha Kaanikkai (guest) songs
- 1962 - Paarthaal Pasi Theerum (guest) songs
- 1960 - Kalathoor Kannamma (guest)
As Producer
- Films marked (a) above were produced by Kamal
As Writer
- 1999 - Biwi No.1 (Hindi) songs
- 1997 - Virasat (Hindi) songs
- In addition, films marked (b) above were scripted by Kamal
As Director
- Films marked (c) above were directed by Kamal
As Miscellaneous Crew
- 2005 - Pudhu Pettai (playback singer)
- 2004 - Mumbai Xpress (playback singer)
- 2000 - Hey Ram (choreographer)
- 1998 - Chachi 420 (playback singer: "Jago Gori") (as Kamal Haasan) *(presenter) (as Kamal Haasan)
- 1996 - Avvai Shanmugi (playback singer)
- 1995 - Sathi Leelavathi (playback singer)
- 1992 - Devar Magan (playback singer)
- 1987 - Nayagan (playback singer)
- 1985 - Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (playback singer)
- 1975 - Andharangam (playback singer)
- 1974 - Aaina (dances)
Trivia
- Queen Elizabeth II attended the launch of his magnum epic Marudhanayagam.