Kamal Haasan was born November7, 1954 in Paramakudi,
Tamil Nadu. He debuted as a child artiste in the film “Kalathoor
Kannamma” (1960), which was released in the year 1960. Since then, he
has starred in nearly 200 films in the major Indian languages – Tamil,
Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. He has been a part of the film
industry for 52 years, as of 2012. His journey in cinema has seen him
don various roles – from child artiste, to romantic lead to one of the
most respected and revered heroes of the film industry today.
He has famously said that he is a reluctant actor. He has an avid interest in every aspect of filmmaking and is known for his work as a choreographer, director, and writer, as well.
He wrote his first script at age 18 for the film “Unarchigal” (1976), which was then followed by films that have gone on to become cult classics – Rajapaarvai (1981), Sathya (1988), Apoorva Sahotharargal (1989), Thevar Magan (1992), Mahanadi (1994), Kurudhippunal (1995), Avvai Shanmugi (1996), Hey Ram (2000), Pammal K Sambandam (2002), Panchathanthiram (2002), Anbe Sivam (2003), are a few of the films etched in popular memory for having set the bar for craftsmanship in the fields of screenplay, script, and dialogue.
He is also a prolific writer of fiction and non-fiction in Tamil and his published work is testament to his constant exploration of structure and form.
Kamal Haasan’s strong convictions in his art have led to some of Indian cinema’s most path-breaking films like Pushpak / Pushpaka Vimaanam / Pesum Padam (1987). Kamal Haasan also worked as a choreographer while transitioning as a well-known child artiste to the lead actor in a feature length film. Some of his best-known work as a dancer can be seen in Saagara Sangamam (1983) and the popular hit Punnagai Mannan (1986).
Kamal Haasan is also a student of Carnatic music, studying under musical maestro Dr. Balamuralikrishna. One of his biggest hits as a playback singer was the song “Inji Iduppazhagi” for the film Thevar Magan.
His career as a director began with the film Chachi 420 (1997), the Hindi remake of Avvai Shanmugi. Since then he has called the shots for critically acclaimed films like “Hey Ram” and “Virumaandi”.
He has never hesitated to state his opinions and encourage debate about topics that are socially relevant. He is a rationalist in thought and moderate in opinion and a humanist in philosophy. The need to be socially conscious is seen in the way his fan clubs have revamped themselves into entities that carry out charity and volunteer work.
SpouseHe has famously said that he is a reluctant actor. He has an avid interest in every aspect of filmmaking and is known for his work as a choreographer, director, and writer, as well.
He wrote his first script at age 18 for the film “Unarchigal” (1976), which was then followed by films that have gone on to become cult classics – Rajapaarvai (1981), Sathya (1988), Apoorva Sahotharargal (1989), Thevar Magan (1992), Mahanadi (1994), Kurudhippunal (1995), Avvai Shanmugi (1996), Hey Ram (2000), Pammal K Sambandam (2002), Panchathanthiram (2002), Anbe Sivam (2003), are a few of the films etched in popular memory for having set the bar for craftsmanship in the fields of screenplay, script, and dialogue.
He is also a prolific writer of fiction and non-fiction in Tamil and his published work is testament to his constant exploration of structure and form.
Kamal Haasan’s strong convictions in his art have led to some of Indian cinema’s most path-breaking films like Pushpak / Pushpaka Vimaanam / Pesum Padam (1987). Kamal Haasan also worked as a choreographer while transitioning as a well-known child artiste to the lead actor in a feature length film. Some of his best-known work as a dancer can be seen in Saagara Sangamam (1983) and the popular hit Punnagai Mannan (1986).
Kamal Haasan is also a student of Carnatic music, studying under musical maestro Dr. Balamuralikrishna. One of his biggest hits as a playback singer was the song “Inji Iduppazhagi” for the film Thevar Magan.
His career as a director began with the film Chachi 420 (1997), the Hindi remake of Avvai Shanmugi. Since then he has called the shots for critically acclaimed films like “Hey Ram” and “Virumaandi”.
He has never hesitated to state his opinions and encourage debate about topics that are socially relevant. He is a rationalist in thought and moderate in opinion and a humanist in philosophy. The need to be socially conscious is seen in the way his fan clubs have revamped themselves into entities that carry out charity and volunteer work.
Sarika (1988 – 2002) (divorced) 2 children
Vani Ganpati (1978 – 1988) (divorced)
Trade Mark
Kamal Haasan happens to be the one and only Indian actor bagging more than 18 Filmfare awards.
He is fluent in Tamil, English, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, Kannada and French.
Trivia
His innovative acting has earned him the title “the first, and perhaps the last, complete hero in Indian Cinema”
Kamal’s hobby is magic
On April 27 2002 Kamala Haasan was detained at Toronto airport and denied boarding his flight to L.A. because he had an Arab name/look and was considered a potential terrorist.
Is the only actor to have earned a Best Actor in a Leading Role award and a Best Actor in a Supporting Role nomination for the same movie (Saagar (1985)) at Filmfare Awards.
Is a very very strong fan of Ilayaraja and always ropes him as the composer for all his home productions
Has two daughters, Shruti K. Haasan and Akshara.
Gets his wife/girlfriend to do costumes for his films
Seven movies that he has starred in have been sent to represent India in Oscars for Best foreign movie category, highest by any Indian.
Trained in the classical Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam.
Has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali and Hindi films.
Met action superstar Jackie Chan for the first time, when the latter came to the audio launch of Hassan’s latest thriller, Dasavatharam in April of 2008. Hassan confessed to have been a huge fan of Chan, and admitted at the audio launch that he had during his career, tried emulating Jackie Chan’s stunts, resulting in 32 fractures to his body.
Did daredevil stunts for the film, Abhay (2001), where he did bungee jumping. Severely injured his back whilst filming.
Personal Quotes
A London editor once told me that the best way to put news hounds off your scent is to lie inventively
The closest I feel to is Dustin Hoffman who shares many of my paradoxes. Physical appearance to begin with.
I haven’t got a degree. So, I’ve never stopped learning. When you get a degree, and wear that square hat with tassels on it, you think you’ve done it and you lean back. There is a certain amount of complacency that comes with achievement. What you perceive is achievement. When you don’t, when you are insecure all the time, that’s when you constantly forage for knowledge in the extra-mural dump.
Strangely, one of the greatest rationalists of this world has been turned into a god: Buddha.
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