Kamal Haasan

November 7, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Kamal Haasan was born on November 7, 1954. His mother was a housewife, and his father was a lawyer and freedom fighter. Haasan is not only an acclaimed actor, director, and dancer but also a playback singer, choreographer, lyricist, writer, screenwriter, makeup artist, and politician. This legend has acted in many Indian languages, including Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Hindi, Telugu, and Bengali. He works primarily in the Tamil film industry and is recognized worldwide as an influence on actors and filmmakers across India. We celebrate this legend who is still going strong and is not slowing down anytime soon.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Kamal Haasan

Nickname:

Ulaganayagan

Birth date:

November 7, 1954

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 6"

Relationship Status:

Divorced

Net Worth:

$50 million

Background

Kamal Hassan, born November 7, 1954, is a man of many talents. He is truly a jack of all trades and a master of all. He received the President’s Gold medal for the Tamil film “Kalathur Kannamma,” in which he debuted as a child artist. From then on, he continued to act and starred in five more films as a child. His father was very supportive and encouraged his son to join a theater company, T. K. S. Nataka Sabha. Here, his craft was shaped, and his interest in makeup also grew. Haasan took a seven-year hiatus from films and returned as a dance assistant. But, he still made the occasional film appearance, including some uncredited roles. He continued to play supporting roles or work as an assistant director until he landed his first lead part in the Malayalam film, “Kanyakumari,” for which he won his first Filmfare Award. His breakthrough in Tamil film came through in his role in “Apoorva Raagangal,” where he played a rebellious young man who fell in love with an older woman and bagged another Filmfare Award for the movie. By the end of the 1970s, he received six regional Best Actor Filmfare Awards, including four consecutive Best Tamil Actor Awards, thanks to a prodigious stream of films that brought him further accolades.

In addition to acting, Haasan is known for his offscreen contributions to the film industry. He has choreographed dance for various movies, written and directed, and produced films under his production company Raaj Kamal Films International. He has also trained as a makeup artist under Michael Westmore. Not content with sticking to one industry, Haasan also dabbles in publishing and writing. He formed a political party: Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), a regional political party in Tamil Nadu, on February 21, 2018.

Today, Hassan has a record of 19 Filmfare Awards in five languages. Post his last award in 2000, he wrote to the film organization and requested that they give away awards to newer talents. He has received India’s highest honors, like the Kalaimamani in 1984, Padma Shri in 1990, and the Padma Bhushan in 2014. He has been married twice and has two daughters with his second wife. His eldest daughter is also in the movies.

Career timeline

1960

The First Film Role

Haasan forayed into Tamil cinema as a child artist with the film "Kalathur Kannamma," for which he won the President's Gold Medal.

1970

The Return to Filming

After a seven-year hiatus, Haasan returns to movies and appeared in "Maanavan," in which he appeared in a dance sequence.

1975

The Breakthrough Role

Haasan made his debut as a leading actor in the 1975 drama "Apoorva Raagangal," in which he played a rebellious young guy who falls in love with an older woman.

1981

The 100th Film Appearance

In 1981, Haasan made his 100th film appearance in the film "Raja Paarvai," in which he also debuted as a producer.

1990

The Padma Shri Award

Haasan receives the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India.

2014

He Represents India at Cannes

Haasan is chosen to represent India as the official representative at the 67th Cannes Film Festival in May 2014.

Why We Love Kamal Haasan

He is multi-talented
Haasan is talented in many areas of the film industry and explores all these roles equally. He puts his passion and talent to good use. He has proved himself to be a master at everything he does and is critically acclaimed.
He is a humanitarian
For 37 years, Haasan's welfare organization has participated in many welfare activities. He has also pledged all his income from product endorsements to social causes.
He is controversial
Haasan has faced criticism for his films' sexually explicit themes and situations, their offense to religious sensibilities, and their superficial treatment of societal issues. Additionally, his perfectionist tendencies have led to several of his films' budgets being over-run.

5 Surprising Facts

His real name is Parthasarathy Srinivasan
Haasan was initially named Parthasarathy, but his father later changed his name to Kamal Haasan.
He is an atheist
Haasan is a self-proclaimed atheist who doesn't believe in the existence of God and has made movies based on his beliefs.
He’s sent submissions to the Oscars
Haasan has the highest number of Academy Awards submissions in Indian cinema; unfortunately, none of the films were nominated for the Awards.
He was awarded the "Chevalier" Award
In 2016, the French government awarded him the 'Chevalier' Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
He changed his fan clubs
Haasan decided to convert his fan clubs into social welfare organizations. for doing humanitarian work on his behalf.