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==Acting career== ==Acting career==


Kamal acting career spans four decades. He is known in the Indian film industry for his talent and versatility in acting. He has capably played an array of characters in his films. He has appeared in movies made in six languages, including the four major South Indian languages - ], ], ] and ]. His other forays were into the North Indian movie industry via ] and ] films. Kamal's acting career spans four decades. He is known in the Indian film industry for his talent and versatility in acting. He has capably played an array of characters in his films. He has appeared in movies made in six languages, including the four major South Indian languages - ], ], ] and ]. His other forays were into the North Indian movie industry via ] and ] films.


===Sixties=== ===Sixties===

Revision as of 15:51, 23 August 2006

Kamal Haasan (கமல் in Tamil) (born November 7, 1954, Paramakkudi, Tamil Nadu, India) is a highly acclaimed Indian film actor. His work is mainly based in the South Indian film industry, though he has made and acted in many Indian languages. He is widely regarded to be one of the finest Indian actors and also holds the record and credit for enacting the maximum number of different roles, where 'different' is defined by characterization and physical appearance, in the Indian film industry.

Early life

Kamal was born in the family of Srinivasan and Rajalakshmi as the fourth and youngest child. His father gave all three of his sons the suffix of "Haasan" as a sign of his friendship to one Mr. Haasan. Kamal entered the film world as a child actor at the tender age of 6 in the film Kalathur Kannamma 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

Kamal's acting career spans four decades. He is known in the Indian film industry for his talent and versatility in acting. He has capably played an array of characters in his films. He has appeared in movies made in six languages, including the four major South Indian languages - Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. His other forays were into the North Indian movie industry via Hindi and Bengali films.

Sixties

Kamal made his screen debut with Kalathur Kannamma at the age of six and it won him the first National Award for Best Child Artist. He followed it with appearances as a child actor in movies that featured MGR, Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesh.

Seventies

Though he was already introduced as an adult hero in earlier films like Avargal, Aval Oru Thodarkathai, Solla Thaan Ninaikkiren, Maanavan and Kumara Vijayam, it was 16 Vayathinile, with Sridevi that established him as a popular teen idol at the age of 23. Togather they acted in 23 films and were a popular acting pair. The following year, he got his break with K. Balachander's Telugu hit Maro Charithra.

He has played a host of characters that include:

  • a ventriloquist in Avargal
  • 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

Eighties

His first attempt at direction came through an unfortunate turn of events with the demise of director TN Baalu during the filming of Sankarlal in 1981. Kamal reached superstardom in 1979 with multiple classics and mass blockbusters which coincided with the decline of MGR/Sivaji era in movies (MGR quit movies in 1977 while Sivaji, nevertheless continued to act till the 90s). Kamal has managed to hold off competition successfully till date by differentiating his films in scripts, roles and get-ups.

In this period, he has played:

  • a blind violinist in Raja Paarvai at the age of 27 (first screenplay by Kamal)
  • a classical dancer in Saagara Sangamam
  • a mentally challenged man who falls in love in Swathi Muthyam
  • a undercover cop in Kaaki Sattai
  • an underworld don in Nayagan (Leader) at the age of 33 (directed by Mani Ratnam)
  • an unemployed youth who chances upon a week of opulence in the silent movie Pushpak
  • an honest cop, a dwarf circus clown and a fun-loving mechanic in Apoorva Sagodharargal at the age of 35 (screenplay by Kamal)

Nineties

Kamal's second attempt at direction came through another unfortunate turn of events when the original director Shantanu Sheroey failed to do a good job while filming Chachi 420 in 1997. Inspired by the European style of closer-to-reality docu-dramas, Kamal moved decisively towards making films for select classes in the 90s, isolating some of his ardent fans.

In this period, he has played:

  • as quadruplets in the path-breaking comedy Michael Madhana Kamarajan
  • as an old and highly-corrupt mayor in Indiran Chandiran
  • a mentally-challenged man in the romance Guna
  • a modern youth turned villager in Thevar Magan at the age of 38 (written and produced by Kamal)
  • a hapless villager who lost and re-discovers his family in a metropolis in Mahanadhi
  • a revolutionary lecturer in Nammavar
  • a special police squad officer against terrorism in Kuruthipunal
  • a righteous old revolutionary as well as his corrupt son in Indian
  • an old au pair nanny in Avvai Shanmugi (Adaptation of the movie Mrs. Doubtfire) at the age of 42

Noughts

Kamal's multi-faceted talent came to the fore in off-screen departments like direction, scripting, screenplay, special effects and these reached full bloom in this decade.

Again, he has played diverse roles in this period, which include:

  • a Hindu fundamentalist who changes heart upon seeing Mahatma Gandhi in Hey Ram
  • as a lisping immigrant from Sri Lanka afflicted by all kinds of phobias in Thenali, at the age of 46
  • a pair of twins (one of which is a deranged psychopath) in Aalavandhan
  • a randy pilot in the comedy caper Panchathanthiram
  • a disabled altruist in Anbe Sivam
  • a bull fighter in Virumaandi (directed by Kamal)
  • a deaf circus stuntman in Mumbai Express at the age of 51

He began his film career with an interest in movie direction, but under the influence of his mentors had turned to acting. He did several commercial movies for a major portion of his career, but then moved away from the purely commercial venture. He is also a trained playback singer (sometimes moonlighting as a lyricist as well in his more recent films). He is an able performer of the Bharatanatyam dance form. He had assisted in choreography early in his career.

He was also a part of Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai, which is a tribute to filmmaking.

Awards

Kamal is a three-time winner of the National Film Award for Best Actor for the films Nayagan, Moondram Pirai, and Indian. He also won the national award for "Best Child Actor" for his performance in Kalathoor 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 - this itself is a record of sorts as it is more than any other person. Kamal holds the record for the most Filmfare 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, Kamal Haasan has bagged 171 awards (national, as well as international), much more than any other actor in the world.

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

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 began producing films. He began with Raja Paarvai in 1981. A more recent production was the film Virumaandi in 2004. His privately-held production house Raj Kamal Films produced several classics like Apoorva Sagodharargal, Thevar Magan, Kuruthipunal etc. For the tax year 2004, the company declared a turnover of $10 million (Rs.450 million).

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 18th century Madurai about a warrior/freedom fighter Yusuf Khan Sahib or Muhammed Yusuf Khan. 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. In 2006, he purchased prime real estate for a state-of-the-art multiplex cinema.

Personal life

Endowed with a fiercely independent spirit, Kamal is a self-professed non-conformist and a follower of Periyar though some of his movies have put forward Communist views (like in Anbe Sivam) as well as exposing fundamentalist Hindutva views (like in Hey Ram).

Kamal is the first actor to turn his fan clubs into registered non-profit service organizations. 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 is the only indian actor after Dr Rajkumar to promise that he will not act in scenes which portay smoking or drinking .However before making such a promise he acted in few films as a smoker and drunker (e.g., Valveh Mayan, Virumandi, Nilalgal Nijamakirathu,etc.)

Kamal married Vani Ganapathy in 1978. The marriage was turbulent, issueless and lasted 7 years. Kamal has two daughters through his relationship with Sarika. Shruti was born in 1985 and Akshara in 1991. Their relationship was legalised through marriage after the birth of Akshara in the presence of Sivaji and his wife Kamala. They finally separated in 2003 after being together for nearly 18 years.

File:Virumandi.jpg
Virumandi
File:Kamalhasan3.jpg
Anbe Sivam

Filmography

Listed below is the best guesstimate available of Kamal's 240-odd releases till date in at least six regional markets.

  • 1960 - Tamil debut
  • 1962 - Malayalam debut
  • 1977 - Bengali debut
  • 1977 - Kannada debut
  • 1977 - Telugu debut
  • 1977 - Hindi debut

As Actor

Noughts

Nineties

  • 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 - Kuruthipunal (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 - Thevar Magan (a) (b) - Remade in Hindi as Viraasat with Anil Kapoor songs
  • 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

Eighties

  • 1989 - Indrudu Chandrudu (Telugu)(dual role) - remade in Tamil as Indran Chandran and dubbed in Hindi as Mayor Saab songs
  • 1989 - Vetri Vizha songs
  • 1989 - Chanakyan (Malayalam)
  • 1989 - Apoorva Sagodharargal (triple role) (a) - Dubbed 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 - Sippikkul Muthu songs
  • 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 Maaralam (Guest Role)
  • 1983 - Zara Si Zindagi (Hindi)
  • 1983 - Vasantha Kokila (Telugu)
  • 1982 - Paadagan (Dubbed version of Sanam Teri Kasam and released in mid-90's)
  • 1982 - Agni Sakshi (Tamil - Guest role)
  • 1982 - Pyara Tarana (Dubbed version of Ninaithale Inikkum and was released in the late 80's)
  • 1982 - Pagadai Panirendu
  • 1982 - Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya (First Dual role in Hindi)(Hindi)Remake of "Sattam En Kayil"
  • 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 (Dubbed movie)
  • 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 Paarvai (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

Seventies

  • 1979 - Azhiyadha Kolangal (guest)
  • 1979 - Neela Malargal (guest)
  • 1979 - Mangala Vaathiyam
  • 1979 - Kalyanaraman (Tamil)
  • 1979 - Kalyanaraman songs
  • 1979 - Idikatha Kaadu (Telugu)
  • 1979 - Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum (Telugu)
  • 1979 - Alavudheenum Arpudha Vilakkum
  • 1979 - Andhamaina Anubavam (Telugu)
  • 1979 - Ninaithale Inikkum songs
  • 1979 - Thaayillamal Naan Illai songs
  • 1979 - Alavudeenum Albutha Velakkum (Malayalam)
  • 1979 - Neeya!
  • 1979 - Sigappukkal Mookkuthi
  • 1979 - Sommokadidhi Sokkadidhi (First Dual role in Telugu)(Telugu) Dubbed into Tamil as "Iru Nilavugal"
  • 1978 - Thappu Thalangal (guest)
  • 1978 - Thappitha Thala (Telugu) (guest)
  • 1978 - Madanolsavam (Malayalam)
  • 1978 - Yeetta (Malayalam)
  • 1978 - Aval Appadithaan
  • 1978 - Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala!
  • 1978 - Sigappu Rojakkal songs
  • 1978 - Vayanadhan Thamban (Malayalam) (guest)
  • 1978 - Vayasu Pilichindi (Telugu)
  • 1978 - Sattam En Kaiyil (First Dual role in Tamil)songs
  • 1978 - Ilamai Oonjaladugiradhu songs
  • 1978 - Maro Charithra (Telugu) songs
  • 1978 - Nizhal Nijamagiradhu songs
  • 1977 - Aadhyapaadham (Malayalam) (guest)
  • 1977 - Sathyavaan Saavithri (Malayalam)
  • 1977 - Kokila (First movie in Kannada)
  • 1977 - Naam Pirandha Man
  • 1977 - Aanandham Paramaanandham (Malayalam) (guest)
  • 1977 - Aadu Puli Aattam
  • 1977 - 16 Vayathinile songs
  • 1977 - Oor Magal Marikkumo (Malayalam) (guest)
  • 1977 - Nirakudam (Malayalam)
  • 1977 - Ashta Maangalyam (Malayalam) (guest)
  • 1977 - Kabita (Bengali)
  • 1977 - Unnai Sutrum Ulagam
  • 1977 - Sridevi (Malayalam)
  • 1977 - Madhura Sopnam (Malayalam)
  • 1977 - Avargal (guest) songs
  • 1977 - Aasirvaadham (Malayalam)
  • 1977 - Sivathaandavam (Malayalam)
  • 1977 - Uyarndhavargal
  • 1976 - Lalitha (guest)
  • 1976 - Mogam Muppadhu Varusham
  • 1976 - Moondru Mudichu
  • 1976 - Nee Ente Lahari (Malayalam)
  • 1976 - Ponni (Malayalam)
  • 1976 - Idhaya Malar
  • 1976 - Kumaara Vijayam
  • 1976 - Kuttavum Sitshayum (Malayalam)
  • 1976 - Unarchigal (Malayalam)
  • 1976 - Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu
  • 1976 - Sathiyam
  • 1976 - Aruthu (Malayalam) (guest)
  • 1976 - Swimming Pool (Malayalam)
  • 1976 - Manmadha Leelai songs
  • 1976 - Samassiya (Malayalam)
  • 1976 - Appoopan (Malayalam)
  • 1976 - Agni Pushpam (Malayalam)
  • 1975 - Andharangam
  • 1975 - Raasaleela (Malayalam)
  • 1975 - Mattoru Seetha (Malayalam)
  • 1975 - Thiruvonam (Malayalam)
  • 1975 - Apoorva Raagangal songs
  • 1975 - Maalai Sooda Vaa
  • 1975 - Gnan Ninne Premikkunnu (Malayalam)
  • 1975 - Pattikkaattu Raja
  • 1975 - Thangathile Vairam
  • 1975 - Melnaattu Marumagal (Met Vani Ganapathy during the filming of this movie and later married her)
  • 1975 - Then Sindhudhe Vaanam
  • 1975 - Aayirathil Oruthi
  • 1975 - Pattampoochi
  • 1975 - Cinema Paithiyam
  • 1974 - Panathukkaga
  • 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)
  • 1974 - Anbu Thangai
  • 1974 - Kanyakumari (Malayalam)
  • 1974 - Naan Avanillai
  • 1974 - Gumasthavin Magal
  • 1974 - Paruva Kaalam
  • 1973 - Sollathaan Ninaikkiren
  • 1973 - Arangetram
  • 1972 - Kurathi Magan
  • 1970 - Maanavan

Sixties

  • 1963 - Anandha Jodhi
  • 1963 - Vaanampadi songs
  • 1962 - Kannum Karalum (Malayalam)
  • 1962 - Paadha Kaanikkai songs
  • 1962 - Paarthaal Pasi Theerum (First double role ever)(guest) songs
  • 1960 - Kalathur Kannamma (Won Best National Award for "Best Child Actor")

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 seema

As Director

  • Films marked (c) above were directed by Kamal
  • 2000 - Hey Ram
  • 2004 - Virumaandi

As Miscellaneous Crew

  • 2006 - Pudhu Pettai (playback singer)
  • 2004 - Mumbai Xpress (playback singer)
  • 2004 - Vasool Raja MBBS (playback singer)
  • 2003 - Anbe Sivam (playback singer)
  • 2003 - Nala damayanthi (playback singer)
  • 2000 - Hey Ram (choreographer)
  • 1998 - Chachi 420 (playback singer: "Jago Gori") (as Kamal Haasan) *(presenter) (as Kamal Haasan)
  • 1996 - Ullasam (playback singer)
  • 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

External links

Categories: