THE LIVING LEGEND

Kamal Haasan (born on November 7, 1954) is an Indian film actor. He began his career as a child artist in many films, while also attending a theatre for stage plays, to follow his dream to act. Kamal Haasan gained the Indian cinema's attention in 1960 by playing an Award-winning role in his first blockbuster, Kalathur Kannamma and since then he has acted in over two hundred Indian films. Kamal Haasan has acted in several various character roles winning four Indian National Film Awards for his criticallly acclaimed acting.

An accomplished dramatic actor and celebrity, he received India's third highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri for his services to Indian cinema in 1990. Kamal Haasan performs predominantly in leading roles in high-budget and major studio films, ranging from romantic comedies and drama to action thrillers. His most popular films include Moondram Pirai (1982), Saagara Sangamam (1983), Nayagan (1987), Indian (1996) and Hey Ram (2000). However in 2007, Kamal Haasan has attempted to portray ten different characters in his upcoming project, Dasavatharam, therefore making the attempt a possible World Record.

Charity

Kamal is the first actor to turn his fan clubs into registered non-profit service organizations. He indulges in many charity work through his fan clubs by helping the needy. Fan clubs all over celebrate his birthday with some or the other charity work across the state.

Sixties

While Beatles were making music and VietNam was at war with US and the hippies in Haight Ashbury were doing freak-outs, Kamal made his screen debut with Kalathur Kannamma produced by AVM production 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, Nagesh and Gemini Ganesh

Seventies

As an actor in adult roles, he received a lukewarm response for his initial few films like Avargal, Aval Oru Thodarkathai, Solla Thaan Ninaikkiren, Maanavan and Kumara Vijayam. His first highly popular movie was 16 Vayathinile with Sridevi. This established him as a popular teen idol at the age of 23. Kamal Haasan and Sri Devi were a popular acting pair and have acted together in 23 films. The year following his appearance in 16 Vayathinile, Kamal Haasan acted in director K. Balachander's Telugu hit Maro Charithra.In many of his late 1970's films, he was usually the hero with Rajinikanth as the villain.

During the 1970s, he has played a host of characters that include:
A ventriloquist in Avargal (He actually learnt ventriquilism for his role in the movie)
A village innocent in 16 Vayathinile
A disco jockey in Ilamai Oonjaladugiradhu
A psychopath serial killer of women in Sigappu Rojakkal
A buck-toothed villager in Kalyanaraman Aladdin in Alavudheenum Arpudha Vilakkum

Eighties

His first attempt at direction came through an unfortunate turn of events with the demise of director T.N. 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). A huge factor behind Kamal's success is his versatility.
In this period, he has played amongst other roles:
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
An undercover cop in Kaaki Sattai
A benevolent 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)
A corrupt mayor in Indrudu Chandrudu, Telugu A spy in Vikram
An illiterate villager in Sakalakala Vallavan

Apoorva Sagodharargal, which released in 1989, was the first Kamal film to gross almost Rs.100 million at the box office

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 a Doctor in hilarious Tamil movie Sathy Leelavathy

As quadruplets in the 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 nanny in Avvai Shanmugi at the age of 42 Indian which released in 1996 grossed almost Rs.200 million at the box office marking a new peak in his career.

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 in Hey Ram
A mentally affected Sri Lankan Tamil in the comedy Thenali
A pair of twins (one of which is a deranged psychopath) in Aalavandhan
An ardent bachelor turned lover in Pammal K. Sambandam
A randy pilot in the comedy caper Panchathantiram
A disabled altruist in Anbe Sivam
A rustic wrongly jailed for the murder of his lover in Virumaandi (directed by Kamal)
A deaf circus stuntman in Mumbai Express at the age of 51 An old age student of MBBS degree, Vasool Raja M.B.B.S, a remake of Hindi film, Munna Bai M.B.B.S
As DCP Raghavan, a smart and suave policeman with his "Raghavan instinct" out to trace a serial psychopath killer duo in Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu
Thenali which released in 2000, was the first Kamal film to gross almost Rs.300 million at the box office.

Vasool Raja M.B.B.S and Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu mopped up over Rs.400 million each at the box office. These back-to-back blockbusters proved his persistent hold on Kollywood and silenced critics.

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. His more recent production ventures include the films Virumaandi and Mumbai Xpress.

His magnum opus, Marudha Naayagam, is a period film set in early 18th century Madurai about a warrior/freedom fighter Yusuf Khan Sahib or Muhammed Yusuf Khan. The film's launch was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II. However, the film is yet to be made.

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.

Film Background

Debut Film: Kalathur Kannamma

Famous Movies: Vetayadu Vilayadu, Mumbai Express, Vasoolraja M.B.B.S, Virumandi, Pammal K. Sambandam, Panchatanthiram, Paarthale Paravasam, Thenali, Hey Ram, Marudha Naayagam, Chachi 420, Indian, Avvai Shanmugi, Kuruthipunal, Nammavar, Sathi Leelavathi, Subha Sankalpam, Ladies Only, Magalir Mattum, Kalaignan, Mahanadi, Maharasan, Guna, Singaaravelan, Thevar Magan, Michael Madana Kamarajan, My Dear Marthandan, Apoorva Sahodarargal, Chanakyan, Indrudu Chandrudu, Daisy, Pushpak, Soora Samhaaram, Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, Kaadhal Parisu, Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu, Nayakan, Per Sollum Pillai, Vetri Vizha, Vrutham, December Pookkal, Naanum Oru Thozhilaali, Punnagai Mannan, Vikram, Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu, Andha Oru Nimidam, Geraftaar, Kaakki Sattai, Mangamma Sabatham, Saagar, Swathi Muthyam, Ek Nai Paheli, Enakkul Oruvan, Jappanil Kalyanaraman, Oru Kaidhiyin Diary, Raaj Tilak, Yaadgaar, Yeh Desh, Moondram Pirai, Poikkal Kuthirai, Sadma, Sagara Sangamam, Thoongathey Tambi Thoongathey, Zara Si Zindagi, Afsana Do Dilon Ka, Agni Sakshi, Dil Ka Sathi Dil, Pyara Tarana, Raniththeni, Sakala Kala Vallavan, Sanam Teri Kasam, Simla Special, Vazhve Mayam, Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya, Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Aakali Rajyam, Do Dil Diwane, Ellaam Inbamayam, Kadal Meengal, Meendum Kokila, Raaja Paarvai, Rama Lakshman, Savaal, Shankarlal, Thillu Mullu, Guru, Natchatiram, Ullasa Paravaigal, Varumayin Niram Sigappu, Idi Kathakaadu, Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum, Azhiyatha Kolangal, Kalyanaraman, Neela Malargal, Neeya, Ninaithale Inikkum, Sigappukkal Mookuthi, Thai Illamal Naan Illai, Yerra Gulabi, Chattam En Kaiyil, Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu, Madanolsavam, Maro Charithra, Nizhal Nijamakirathu, Sigappu Rojakkal, Thappitha Thala, Aaina, Aadu Puli Atham, Avargal,Meethi Meethi Baatein, Pathinaru Vayathinile, Uyarnthavargal, Anthuleni Katha, Idaya Malar, Lalitha, Manmatha Leelai, Moondru Mudichu, Antharangam, Apoorva Raagangal, Melnattu Marumagal, Pattikatu Raja, Gumastavin Magal, Kanyakumari, Naan Avanillai, Arrangetram, Sollathan Ninaikiren, Kanna Nalama, Ananda Jyoti, Parthal Pasi Theerum, Kalathur Kannamma

Upcoming Movies: Dasavatharam

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 Kalathur 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. Six of his movies have been sent as India's official entry to the Oscars- The only actor to achieve this feat in the sub-continent. Kamal has won the Filmfare awards 18 times. In fact, he wrote to the FILMFARE committee not to give him any more awards and that be used to encourage the upcoming and promising young actors.[citation needed] He was awarded the fourth highest recognition given to Indian civilians - the Padmashri in 1990. He was conferred an honorary doctorate by Sathyabama University, Chennai in 2005.[1] Kamal haasan has won a total of 172 awards which is more than any other actor in the world living or dead. He was named as "kalaignani" meaning - an idol of art, by M. Karunanidhi for his classical work towards Tamil cinema. In his upcoming film Dasavatharam, he is playing 10 different roles, an act which is the second of its kind in the world, after the Tamil movie Dambachari (1936).

Kamal was also conferred with a very unique honour this year(2007) as "Living Legend" in the film business by FICCI,India

Personal Profile

Date of Birth : 7 November, 1954

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Eye Color: Black

Hair Color: Black

Birth Place: Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu

Marital Status: Married - Divorced

Favourite Musician: Ilayaraja

Hobbies: Magic

Languages: Hindi, English, Tamil

Hobbies: Magic

Other Facts: He Knows Classical Dance Bharatanatyam

Contact Address: 218, T.T.K. Rd, Alwarpet Chennai-600018