Kamal Haasan Photos and Biography

Kamal Haasan, often referred to by the title "Ulaga Nayagan" (Universal Hero), is a titan of Indian cinema. His career spans over six decades, during which he has evolved from a child prodigy into a polymath—mastering acting, directing, screenwriting, playback singing, choreography, and politics.

Early Life and Background

Kamal Haasan was born as Parthasarathy Srinivasan on November 7, 1954, in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu.

• Family: He was born into a Tamil Iyengar Brahmin family. His father, D. Srinivasan, was a lawyer and freedom fighter, and his mother, Rajalakshmi, was a homemaker. He is the youngest of four siblings; his brothers, Charuhasan and Chandrahasan, were also involved in law and cinema, and his sister, Nalini, is a classical dancer.

• Education: While he attended school in Chennai, he was more drawn to the arts. He eventually dropped out of formal schooling to join the T.K.S. Nataka Sabha, a legendary theater troupe, where he honed his acting and makeup skills.

Cinematic Journey

Kamal Haasan’s career is often divided into distinct eras defined by his technical growth and experimental spirit.

1. The Child Prodigy (1960–1963)

He made his debut at the age of four in Kalathur Kannamma (1960). His performance was so impactful that he won the President's Gold Medal (National Award) for Best Child Artist in his very first film.

2. The Breakthrough & Mentorship (1970s)

After a brief hiatus to focus on education and theater, he returned as an adult. He credits director K. Balachander as his "Guru."

• Films like Apoorva Raagangal (1975) and 16 Vayathinile (1977) established him as a leading star.

• He became a pan-Indian star with the massive success of the Hindi film Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981).

3. The Experimental Auteur (1980s–2000s)

During this period, Kamal became known for his physical transformations and technical "firsts" in India:

• Nayakan (1987): Directed by Mani Ratnam, this film was included in TIME magazine's "All-Time 100 Best Movies."

• Pushpaka Vimana (1987): A groundbreaking silent black comedy.

• Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989): He played a triple role, including a dwarf, using innovative camera techniques long before modern CGI.

• Dasavathaaram (2008): He famously portrayed ten distinct characters in a single film.

Political Career

In February 2018, Kamal Haasan transitioned into active politics by launching his own party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) (People's Justice Centre).

• Ideology: The party follows a centrist path, focusing on anti-corruption, environmentalism, and urban development.

• Milestones: He contested the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from Coimbatore South, narrowly losing. As of 2025/2026, he has become a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), representing Tamil Nadu.

Personal Life

Kamal Haasan’s personal life has often been a subject of media interest due to his outspoken views on marriage and atheism.

• Marriages: He was first married to dancer Vani Ganapathy (1978–1988). He later married actress Sarika (1988–2004).

• Children: He has two daughters, Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan, both of whom are established actresses in the Indian film industry.

• Partner: Following his second divorce, he was in a long-term relationship with actress Gautami Tadimalla until 2016.

Key Achievements and Records

Kamal Haasan is arguably the most decorated actor in Indian history:

• National Film Awards: 4 wins (3 for Best Actor).

• Filmfare Awards: A record 20 wins; he eventually requested the association to stop nominating him to give younger talent a chance.

• Civilian Honors: Received the Padma Shri (1990) and Padma Bhushan (2014).

• International Recognition: Awarded the Chevalier (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government in 2016.

• Oscars: He holds the record for the highest number of films (7) submitted by India for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

Kamal Haasan’s filmography is massive (230+ films), so the best way to dive in is to look at the different "avatars" he takes on.

Here are the essential must-watch movies, categorized by the experience they offer:

1. The Critical Masterpieces

If you want to understand why he is considered one of the greatest actors in the world, start here.

• Nayakan (1987): Often called the "Indian Godfather." It’s an epic crime drama where Kamal ages from a young rebel to an elderly underworld don. It is the only Indian film consistently ranked in TIME magazine’s "All-Time 100 Best Movies."

• Moondram Pirai (1982) / Sadma (1983): A heart-wrenching story of a man who rescues a woman (Sridevi) suffering from amnesia. The climax is legendary for Kamal’s raw, physical performance at the railway station.

• Thevar Magan (1992): A powerful rural drama about caste, violence, and duty. It features a "clash of titans" acting face-off between Kamal and the legendary Sivaji Ganesan.

2. Technical & Physical Marvels

Kamal is famous for pushing the boundaries of makeup and camera technology before CGI was mainstream.

• Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989): Kamal plays three roles, including a circus dwarf (Appu). Even today, the secret of how he filmed the dwarf character without modern VFX is a point of fascination.

• Pushpaka Vimana (1987): A brilliant silent film (dialogue-free). It’s a black comedy that relies entirely on his facial expressions and physical acting.

• Dasavathaaram (2008): A feat of makeup where he plays 10 different characters, from a 12th-century priest to a 90-year-old woman and even a George W. Bush-inspired US President.

3. The "Crazy" Comedies

Kamal has a sharp wit and perfect comic timing, often collaborating with the late writer Crazy Mohan.

• Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990): He plays quadruplets (four identical brothers) with vastly different accents and personalities. It is considered the gold standard of "confusion comedies" in India.

• Panchatanthiram (2002): A riotous comedy about five friends, a "boys' trip," and a series of misunderstandings involving a dead body.

• Avvai Shanmugi (1996) / Chachi 420 (1997): Inspired by Mrs. Doubtfire, he plays a man who disguises himself as an elderly nanny to be near his daughter.

4. Modern Classics & Thrillers

• Indian (1996): He plays dual roles: a corrupt son and his vigilante father, a 70-year-old freedom fighter who uses ancient martial arts (Varma Kalai) to punish the corrupt.

• Anbe Sivam (2003): A cult classic about a communist atheist and an arrogant ad filmmaker stuck together on a journey. It’s deeply philosophical and heartwarming.

• Vikram (2022): His recent massive blockbuster. It’s a high-octane action thriller that revitalized his box-office status and introduced a "Cinematic Universe" (LCU).