Profile of Kamal Hassan on Famous Like Me

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Kamal Haasan (b. November 7, 1954, Paramakkudi, Tamil Nadu, India) is a famous Indian movie star working mainly in the Tamil film industry. In his younger days, he has also been a mainstream star in Bollywood and Tollywood. He has been awarded the Padmashri in 2004. He has been conferred a honorary doctorate by Sathyabama Deemed University, Chennai.

Early life

Kamal Haasan was born to Srinivasan and Rajalakshmi as the fourth child in his family. It is said that in his early days, he lost interest in studies and even worked as a toilet cleaner. His father was somewhat upset that there was no Kalaignan (Artist) in his family. When Kamal took an interest in Dance and Drama, his father was not fully convinced that Kamal would achieve anything. He came to the film world at the age young of four. His first film Kalathur Kannama won him the President’s GoldMedal. As a child and as a young artist Bharatanatyam was his forte. He was regarded a wonder kid and was praised by notable personalities like MGR, Savithri and Gemini Ganesan. For his first film, he was paid a salary of Rs. 5,000 (approximately USD 100). His subsequent films heralded a new generation star after the era of Sivaji and MGR in Tamil Cinema.

His first major performance was for K. Balachander's movie Arangetram where he played the role of a teenager aspiring to be a succesful medic.The film was a great hit and there was no looking back for Kamal Hassan.

Acting career

Kamal Haasan made his screen debut with the Tamil movie Kalathur Kannamma at the age of 5. 16 Vayathinile, in which he co-acted with Rajinikanth, established him as a popular actor. However, 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 and Kannada languages.

His acting career was excellent right from the age he had been acting. He had the ambition of becoming a director rather than actor. His skills in filming were very much technical and exhaustive. He has written wonderful screenplays and some of the best dialogues in films. Apart from these he is a wonderful Playback Singer. His song "Yaar Yaar Sivam" from the film Anbe Sivam (It is love that is god) was very much appreciated by critics and the public. He has sung over 70 or 80 songs more than any other actor. He has even sung in a Lady's voice in Avvai Shanmughi. His works were very much different after Raaja Paarvai.

He has played a wide range of characters including:

• a ventriloquist in Antu leni Katha (Endless Story).
• an under-world don in Nayagan (Leader). Maniratnam, who also happens to be his niece Suhasini's husband, directed this movie.
• a freedom-fighter in Indian. Here he played dual roles. One of the characters was that of a classic old aged man and won the National Award for Best Male Actor.
• a classical dancer in Saagara Sangamam (Tryst with the Infinite).
• a blind violinist in Raajaparvai. This was his first screenplay.
• a dwarf clown in Apoorva Sahodaragal. This film was also his screenplay.
• a mentally challenged man in Swathi Muthyam (Rare gem).
• an epic character to have lived with Mahatma Gandhi in Hey Ram.
• a Sandiyar (Fighter) in Virumaandi. This film was also directed by Kamal Haasan.
• a mentally retarded character in Guna.
• a police officer against terrorism in Kurudhi Punal.
• a normal youth turned villager in Thevar magan, written and produced by Kamal.
• a classic artist in Anbea Sivam.
• a Lady in Avvai Shanmughi.
• a pair of twins (a Madman and an Army Man) in Abhay
• as quadruplates in "Michael Madan Kama Rajan" movie
• as a corrupted politician in "Indiran Chandiran "

Awards

He is a three time winner of the Indian National award for best actor for the films Nayagan, Moonram 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, more than any other person. He holds the record for the most Film Fare awards (18). Recently, Kamal Haasan was honoured when his self-directed venture titled "Virumaandi" won the International Asian Film of the Year 2004. In 2005, he was again honoured when Time magazine listed "Nayagan" as one of the Top 100 movies of all times.

Career as a film producer

He has also involved himself in film production. He wrote screenplays for several of his films and ventured into film direction with Hey Ram, a film depicting the conflict between revolutionaries and proponents of non-violence during the Indian independence movement. The film is also remembered for depicting the flashback in color and the present day events in black and white.

Kamal Hassan renamed his recent venture Sandiyar to Virumandi owing to a protest from a community in Tamil Nadu. He then acted in "Vasool Raja M.B.B.S", a remake of Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "Munnabhai M.B.B.S". Both "Virumandi" and "Vasool Raja" were successes. Kamal then acted in a home production titled "Mumbai Xpress". It was bilingual (Hindi and Tamil) and was directed by long time friend Singeetham Srinivasa Rao. The film was only successful at some centres. Kamal then signed a film directed by Gautham titled "Vettayadu Villayadu". It has been in preproduction for some three months and should begin shooting in mid-July. It is a crime thriller – a genre Kamal last attempted in 1995 with "Kuruthipunal".

His magnum opus, a tentatively halted work-in-progress is Maruda Naayagam, a period film set in 17th or 18th century Madurai about a warrior/freedom fighter Yusuf Khan Sahib; the film is notable as it was inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Personal life

He is a self-professed rationalist, atheist, activist, and a follower of Periyar. Some of his movies, especially Anbe Sivam, have put forward his atheistic views. The discussion between Kamal and Madhavan about Tsunami in the movie (released in 2003) showed the Tamil viewers Kamal's breadth of knowledge.

Kamal's production company is Rajkamal Productions.

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 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 smoking scenes in movies (But however he acted in a movie named 'Nizhal Nijamakirathu' as a chain smoker, he always acted as a chain smoker in that movie).

Like many actors, his personal life has been the subject of media gossip. In his early years, he was much spoken about for his relationship with Sridevi, a famous actress of that time. He married Vani Ganapathi, a Bharatanatyam dancer, but they divorced almost immediately when Sarika, an Hindi actress, claimed that she was pregnant with his child. Kamal then married Sarika. They have two teenage daughters and their marriage lasted until 2002, when media attention to his relationship with the young actress Simran resulted in their separation. Soon afterwards, the media reported that another of his co-stars, Gouthami, was living in his house.

After Rajnikanth, widely considered the 'super star' of Tamil films, Kamal Haasan is the biggest Tamil film star. He is generally considered to be the better actor among the two. Anbe Sivam' is also considered a response to Rajnikanth's Baba which was released earlier the same year. The story of Baba was dominated by religion and devotion, whereas Anbe Sivam (Love alone is God) talked about humanism.

Kamal's elder brother Charu Hassan is also a well respected actor in south Indian cinema.

Filmography

Filmography as: Actor, Producer, Writer, Miscellaneous Crew, Director, Himself

Actor - filmography

In Production

• Dasavadaram (2006)(announced)
• Vetayadu Vilayadu (2005) (under production)

2000s

• Mumbai Express (2005) .... Abinash
• Vasoolraja M.B.B.S (2004) .... Vasool Raja
• Virumandi (2004) .... Virumandi
• Anbe Sivam (2003) .... Nallasivam
• Pammal K. Sambandam (2002) .... Pammal K. Sambandam
• Panchatanthiram (2002) .... Ram
• Aalavandhan (2001) .... Abhay Kumar/Major Vijaykumar
• ... aka Abhay (India: Hindi title: dubbed version)
• Paarthale Paravasam (2001) .... Guest appearance
• ... aka Paravasam (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• Thenali (2000) .... Tenali Soman
• Hey Ram (2000) (as Kamal Haasan) .... Saketh Ram
• Marudha Naayagam (2000) .... Marudha Naayagam (not released)

1990s

• Chachi 420 (1998) (as Padmashri Kamal Haasan) .... Jaiprakash Paswan/Laxmi Godbhole
• Indian (1996) .... Senapathy/Chandra Bose
• ... aka Bharateeyudu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• ... aka Hindustani
• Avvai Shanmugi (1996) .... Pandyan/Avvai Shanmugi
• ... aka Bhamane... Satyabhamane (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• Kuruthipunal (1996)
• ... aka Drohi (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• Nammavar (1995) .... Selvan
• Sathi Leelavathi (1995) .... Shaktivel
• ... aka Sathy Leevathy (India: Tamil title: alternative transliteration)
• Subha Sankalpam (1995) .... Dasu
• Ladies Only (1994)
• Magalir Mattum (1994) .... Boss from Head Office
• .. aka Aadavaallaku Maatram (India: Telugu title)
• Kalaignan (1993) .... Indrajeet
• Mahanadi (1993) .... Krishna
• ... aka Maha Nadhi (India: Tamil title: alternative transliteration)
• Maharasan (1993)
• Guna (1992) .... Guna
• Singaaravelan (1992) .... Singaravelan
• Thevar Magan (1992) .... Shaktivelu
• ... aka Kshatriya Putrudu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• ... aka The Chieftain's Son
• Michael Madana Kamarajan (1991) .... Michael, Madan, Kameshwaran, Raj
• ... aka Micheal Madana Kamaraju (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• My Dear Marthandan (1990) .... (Guest Appearance)

1980s

• Apoorva Sahodarargal (1989) .... Raghupathy/Appu/Raja
• ... aka Apoorva Sahodarulu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• ... aka Appu Raja (India: Hindi title)
• Chanakyan (1989) .... Johnson
• Indrudu Chandrudu (1989) .... Mayor Rayudu/Chandran
• ... aka Indran Chandran (India: Tamil title)
• Daisy (1988)
• Pushpak (1988) .... Unemployed graduate
• ... aka Pushpaka Vimanam (India: Telugu title)
• ... aka Pesum Padam (India: Tamil title)
• ... aka Pushpaka Vimana (India: Kannada title)
• ... aka The Love Chariot (India: English title)
• Soora Samhaaram (1988)
• Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988) .... Udhayamoorthi
• ... aka Brother, It Is Possible!
• Kaadhal Parisu (1987)
• Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (1987)
• Nayakan (1987) .... Velunayakan
• ... aka Hero
• ... aka Nayakudu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• ... aka Velu-Nayakan (India: Hindi title: dubbed version)
• Per Sollum Pillai (1987)
• Vetri Vizha (1987)
• Vrutham (1987)
• December Pookkal (1986)
• Naanum Oru Thozhilaali (1986)
• Punnagai Mannan (1986)
• ... aka Smiling Prince
• Vikram (1986) .... Vikram
• Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (1985)
• Andha Oru Nimidam (1985)
• Geraftaar (1985) .... Kishan Kumar Khanna
• Kaakki Sattai (1985)
• Mangamma Sabatham (1985)
• Saagar (1985) .... Raja
• Swathi Muthyam (1985) .... Sivayya
• ... aka Sippikkul Muthu (India: Tamil title: dubbed version)
• Ek Nai Paheli (1984) .... Sandeep
• ... aka A New Puzzle
• Enakkul Oruvan (1984)
• Jappanil Kalyanaraman (1984)
• Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1984)
• ... aka The Diary of a Prisoner
• Raaj Tilak (1984) .... Suraj
• Yaadgaar (1984)
• Yeh Desh (1984) .... Inpsector Mathur
• Moondram Pirai (1983) .... Teacher
• ... aka Vasantha Kokila (India: Telugu title)
• Poikkal Kuthirai (1983)
• ... aka The Horse Dance
• Sadma (1983) .... Somu
• Sagara Sangamam (1983) .... KamalHassan
• ... aka Salangai Oli (India: Tamil title: dubbed version)
• ... aka The Confluence
• Thoongathey Tambi Thoongathey (1983)
• Zara Si Zindagi (1983)
• ... aka A Short Life
• Afsana Do Dilon Ka (1982) (as Kamal Haasan)
• Agni Sakshi (1982)
• Dil Ka Sathi Dil (1982) (as Kamal Haasan)
• Pyara Tarana (1982)
• ... aka The Beloved Melody
• Raniththeni (1982)
• Sakala Kala Vallavan (1982)
• Sanam Teri Kasam (1982) .... Sunny
• ... aka I Swear by My Beloved
• ... aka Paadagan (India: Tamil title: dubbed version)
• Simla Special (1982)
• Vazhve Mayam (1982)
• Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya (1982)
• Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981) .... Vaasu
• ... aka Made for Each Other
• Aakali Rajyam (1981)
• ... aka The Land of Hunger (India: English title)
• Do Dil Diwane (1981)
• Ellaam Inbamayam (1981)
• Kadal Meengal (1981)
• Meendum Kokila (1981)
• Raaja Paarvai (1981) .... Blind Musician
• ... aka Amavasya Chandrudu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• Rama Lakshman (1981)
• Savaal (1981)
• Shankarlal (1981)
• Thillu Mullu (1981) .... (Guest Appearance)
• Tik Tik Tik (1981)
• Guru (1980)
• Maria My Darling (1980/I)
• Natchatiram (1980)
• Ullasa Paravaigal (1980)
• Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980)

1970s

• Idi Kathakaadu (1979)
• Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum (1979) .... Alauddin
• ... aka Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp (India: English title)
• ... aka Allavudeenum Albutha Velakkum (India: Malayalam title: alternative transliteration)
• ... aka Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum (India: Tamil title)
• Azhiyatha Kolangal (1979)
• Kalyanaraman (1979) .... Kalyanaraman and his brother
• ... aka Kalyana Raman (India: Malayalam title: alternative transliteration)
• Neela Malargal (1979)
• Neeya (1979)
• Ninaithale Inikkum (1979)
• Sigappukkal Mookuthi (1979)
• Thai Illamal Naan Illai (1979)
• Yerra Gulabi (1979)
• Aval Appadithaan (1978) .... Arun
• Chattam En Kaiyil (1978)
• ... aka Sattam En Kayyil (India: Tamil title: alternative transliteration)
• Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (1978)
• ... aka Elamai Vunjaladugiradhu (India: Tamil title: alternative *transliteration)
• Madanolsavam (1978) .... Raju
• Maro Charithra (1978) .... Balu
• ... aka Yet Another Story
• Nizhal Nijamakirathu (1978)
• .. aka Illusion Becomes Reality
• Sigappu Rojakkal (1978)
• Thappitha Thala (1978)
• ... aka Losing the Rhythm
• ... aka Thappu Thalangal (India: Tamil title)
• ... aka Wrong Beats
• Aaina (1977) .... Boy at film shooting scene (Guest Appearance)
• ... aka Aval Oru Thodarkathai (India: Tamil title)
• ... aka Aval Oru Thudarkatha (India: Malayalam title)
• ... aka She Is a Serial Story
• Aadu Puli Atham (1977)
• Avargal (1977) .... Janardan
• ... aka Characters
• ... aka They
• Meethi Meethi Baatein (1977)
• Pathinaru Vayathinile (1977) .... Chappani
• ... aka 16 Vayathiniley
• ... aka At the Age of Sixteen
• ... aka Sweet 16
• Uyarnthavargal (1977)
• Anthuleni Katha (1976) .... Arun
• ... aka A Story Without an End
• Idaya Malar (1976)
• Lalitha (1976)
• Manmatha Leelai (1976) .... Rich Businessman
• ... aka Cupid's Play
• Moondru Mudichu (1976)
• ... aka Three Knots
• Antharangam (1975)
• Apoorva Raagangal (1975) .... Prasanna
• ... aka Rare Melodies
• Melnattu Marumagal (1975)
• Pattikatu Raja (1975)
• Gumastavin Magal (1974)
• Kanyakumari (1974)
• Naan Avanillai (1974)
• ... aka I Am Not He
• Arrangetram (1973) .... Thiagu
• ... aka The Debut
• Sollathan Ninaikiren (1973)
• ... aka I Am Unable to Tell You
• Kanna Nalama (1972)
• ... aka Are You Okay?

1960s

• Ananda Jyoti (1963)
• Parthal Pasi Theerum (1962)
• ... aka Looking at the Beloved
• Kalathur Kannamma (1960)
• ... aka Kannamma of Kalathur

Producer - filmography

2000s

• Mumbai Express (2005) (producer)
• Virumandi (2004) (producer)
• Nala Damayanthi (2003) (producer)
• Hey Ram (2000) (producer)
• Marudha Naayagam (2000) (producer)

1990s

• Chachi 420 (1998) (producer) (as Kamal Haasan)
• Kuruthipunal (1996) (producer)
• ... aka Drohi (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• Magalir Mattum (1994) (producer)
• .. aka Aadavaallaku Maatram (India: Telugu title)
• Maharasan (1993) (producer)
• Thevar Magan (1992) (producer)
• ... aka Kshatriya Putrudu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• ... aka The Chieftain's Son
• Michael Madana Kamarajan (1991) (producer)
• ... aka Micheal Madana Kamaraju (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)

1980s

• Apoorva Sahodarargal (1989) (producer)
• ... aka Apoorva Sahodarulu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• ... aka Appu Raja (India: Hindi title)
• Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (1987) (producer)
• Raaja Paarvai (1981) (producer)
• ... aka Amavasya Chandrudu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)

Writer - filmography

2000s

• Mumbai Express (2005) (Tamil dialogue) (story)
• Virumandi (2004)
• Nala Damayanthi (2003) (story & screenplay)
• Anbe Sivam (2003) (screenplay)
• Aalavandhan (2001) (novel)
• ... aka Abhay (India: Hindi title: dubbed version)
• Hey Ram (2000)
• Marudha Naayagam (2000) (screenplay)

1990s

• Biwi No. 1 (1999) (story)
• Chachi 420 (1998) (screenplay) (as Kamal Haasan)
• Virasat (1997) (story)
• Thevar Magan (1992)
• ... aka Kshatriya Putrudu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• ... aka The Chieftain's Son

Miscellaneous Crew - filmography

In Production

• Pudhu Pettai (2005) (filming) (playback singer)

2000s

• Mumbai Express (2005) (playback singer)
• Hey Ram (2000) (choreographer)

1990s

• Chachi 420 (1998) (playback singer: "Jago Gori") (as Kamal Haasan) *(presenter) (as Kamal Haasan)
• Avvai Shanmugi (1996) (playback singer)
• .. aka Bhamane... Satyabhamane (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• Sathi Leelavathi (1995) (playback singer)
• ... aka Sathy Leevathy (India: Tamil title: alternative transliteration)
• Thevar Magan (1992) (playback singer)
• ... aka Kshatriya Putrudu (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
• ... aka The Chieftain's Son

1980s

• Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (1985) (playback singer)

1970s

• Aaina (1977) (dances) (as Kamalahasan)
• ... aka Aval Oru Thodarkathai (India: Tamil title)
• ... aka Aval Oru Thudarkatha (India: Malayalam title)
• ... aka She Is a Serial Story
• Antharangam (1975) (playback singer)

Director - filmography

2000s

• Virumandi (2004)
• Hey Ram (2000)
• Marudha Naayagam (2000) (unreleased)

1990s

• Chachi 420 (1998) (as Kamal Haasan)

Himself - filmography

• Nala Damayanthi (2003) .... Himself

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