Anu Hasan
Anu Hasan is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Anu Hasan began their career in 1994 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 32 years. With 30 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 6.2, Anu Hasan remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 30+ years, Anu Hasan's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
- Age
- 55
Biography
Anu Hasan (born Anuradha Chandrahasan on 15 July 1970) is an Indian actress and television host working primarily in Tamil cinema, known for her roles in films and as the host of the celebrity talk show Koffee with Anu on Vijay TV. She made her film debut in the National Award-winning Tamil film Indira (1995) and has appeared in notable films including Aalavandhan (2001) alongside her uncle Kamal Haasan, Aadhavan (2009), and 1: Nenokkadine (2014). She won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the sister of Madhavan's character in Run (2002). Beyond acting, she is a prolific dubbing artist who has dubbed for actresses including Raveena Tandon and Preity Zinta, and holds an MSc in Physics and Management from BITS Pilani.
Career Milestones
Film debut in Tamil cinema, playing the titular lead role
View film →Breakthrough as a prominent Tamil actress; film won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
View film →Won Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
Hosted celebrity talk show Koffee with Anu, a major Tamil television landmark running for multiple seasons
Appeared in bilingual Telugu blockbuster in a key supporting role as the protagonist's mother
View film →Iconic Roles
Indira
Title role in this critically acclaimed drama directed by Suhasini Maniratnam, exploring caste systems and social dynamics in a village setting. Her debut film with music by A.R. Rahman.
Run
Played the sister of lead character Siva (Madhavan) in this romantic action drama, earning her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Aalavandhan
Guest role as the mother in Kamal Haasan's psychological thriller, one of her memorable supporting appearances.
Nala Damayanthi
Supportive friend character providing humor and warmth, a notable comic-dramatic supporting role.
Defining Moments
Debut performance as the titular village woman fighting caste-based oppression and standing up against the powerful neighbouring village leader, carrying the emotional weight of the entire film
Her breakthrough role in a critically acclaimed film directed by Suhasini Maniratnam; the film won Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and established Anu Hasan as a serious performer capable of leading a socially relevant drama
View film →Performance as Sarasu, a key supporting character whose arc adds emotional grounding to the thriller narrative
Demonstrated her versatility in a bilingual thriller (Tamil/Hindi), reinforcing her reputation as a dependable character actress across different film formats
View film →Portrayal of Kalyani, the tormented mother of Gautham (Mahesh Babu), whose trauma and fate form the psychological core of the protagonist's fractured memory and identity crisis
Her emotionally charged performance as the mother anchors the film's psychological premise; her scenes are pivotal to understanding the hero's psychological condition, and she held her own alongside a major Telugu superstar
View film →Anu Hasan by the Numbers
If you watched every Anu Hasan film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 1 day and 18h. Most-paired with Nassar — 4 films together.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →
Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Anu Hasan.
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Anu Hasan has worked most frequently with Nassar (4 films), Sayaji Shinde (3 films), Brahmanandam (3 films), Pradeep Rawat (2 films), and Nayantara (2 films).
Did You Know?
Anu Hasan is the niece of veteran Tamil actor Kamal Haasan.
She is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.
She made her acting debut in the Tamil film 'Indira' (1995), directed by Suhasini Maniratnam.
She has worked as a television anchor and host for shows like 'Koffee with Anu' on Vijay TV.
She is the founder of the dance school 'Chithkala' in Chennai.
Legacy & Influence
Anu Hasan's contribution to Tamil cinema is defined by her intelligent and grounded presence, carving a distinct niche as a reliable and versatile supporting actress. Her debut as the titular character in the critically acclaimed 'Indira' (1995) immediately established her as a performer of substance, capable of anchoring a film with emotional depth. While she did not pursue a conventional leading lady career, this choice allowed her to build a diverse filmography characterized by memorable character roles. Her career trajectory showcases a deliberate shift towards portraying mature, often maternal figures and sophisticated professionals, bringing a sense of authenticity and grace to these parts. In films like 'Aalavandhan' (2001) and '1: Nenokkadine' (2014), she delivered poignant performances that added crucial emotional layers to the narratives. Beyond acting, her significant contribution comes from her work as a television anchor and host. Her talk shows and interview programs were celebrated for their insightful and conversational style, offering audiences a more personal glimpse into the lives of film personalities, which helped bridge the gap between stars and the public. This dual role as both an actress and a respected interviewer has made her a unique and enduring figure in the industry. She represents a model of a modern Indian film personality—one who has sustained a long career not through stardom alone but through consistent performance, adaptability, and intelligent engagement with the medium across different platforms. Her work, particularly in her later roles, continues to demonstrate the importance and impact of well-portrayed supporting characters in enriching cinematic storytelling.