Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Kamal Haasan began their career in 1971 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 55 years. With over 210 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 7.1, Kamal Haasan remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Kamal Haasan's influence on Tamil cinema is generational — their work continues to define the standard for the industry.
- Born
Biography
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter, director, producer, playback singer, choreographer and lyricist who works primarily in the Tamil film industry. Haasan has won several Indian film awards including four National Film Awards and 19 Filmfare Awards. With seven submissions, Kamal Haasan has starred in the highest number of films submitted by India for the Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film. Haasan's production company, Rajkamal International, has produced several of his films. Kamal Haasan received the Padma Shri in 1990 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.
Personal Info
Career Milestones
Film debut
View film →50th film
View film →100th film
View film →Highest rated: Nayagan (9.0)
View film →150th film
View film →Iconic Roles
Nayagan
A powerful portrayal of a Mumbai underworld don, loosely based on Varadarajan Mudaliar, considered one of Indian cinema's greatest performances.
Mahanadi
A father's desperate and tragic quest to find his kidnapped children, showcasing intense emotional depth.
Padhinaru Vayadhiniley
A memorable role as a mentally challenged young man, highlighting his early versatility as an actor.
Defining Moments
Nayagan Release
The release of 'Nayagan', which cemented his status as a legendary actor and was later included in TIME magazine's 'All-TIME 100 Movies'.
Indian (Hindustani)
Portrayal of dual roles as a freedom fighter and his corrupt son in the vigilante film 'Indian', winning his third National Film Award for Best Actor.
Dasavathaaram
Played ten distinct roles in a single film, showcasing his mastery of acting, makeup, and prosthetics.
Political Entry
Launched the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), marking his formal entry into politics.
Filmography
See all 210 credits →
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
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Did You Know?
Kamal Haasan made his film debut as a child artist in the 1960 Tamil film 'Kalathur Kannamma', for which he won the President's Gold Medal.
He is the first Indian actor to have acted in over 200 films.
Kamal Haasan is a recipient of the Padma Shri (1990), Padma Bhushan (2014), and the French Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2016).
He is the founder of the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), launched in 2018.
He has been the editor of the Tamil magazine 'Mayyam'.
Signature Dialogues
Naan eppovume sathiyama pesuven. Aana sathiyama sonna, yaarum nambathu.
Shakti·Thevar Magan
Idhu eppadi irukku?
Michael / Madan / Kameshwaran / Raju·Michael Madana Kama Rajan
En Peru Michael, Madan, Kameshwaran, Raju...
Multiple·Michael Madana Kama Rajan
Photos
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Videos
Family
Spouse
Sarika
Child
Akshara Haasan
Child
Shruti Haasan
News & Stories
The shooting for ThugLife officially begins today!
24/1/2024
Aishwarya Lekshmi is now part of the team for the movie 'Thug Life' by Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan.
12/1/2024
Announcing "KH234" - A Blockbuster Collaboration with Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, and AR Rahman!
6/11/2023
KH234 Gets a New Title “ThugLife”
6/11/2023
Kamal Haasan to Launch GV Prakash's 25th Movie Title Today
10/10/2023
Legacy & Influence
Kamal Haasan is a monumental figure in Indian cinema, renowned for his relentless innovation and versatility across seven decades. His career trajectory began as a child artist in the 1960s, blossoming into a leading man in the 1970s with films like 'Apoorva Raagangal' and '16 Vayathinile,' where he showcased a naturalistic acting style that broke from theatrical conventions. He consistently pushed technical and narrative boundaries, pioneering sophisticated makeup, special effects, and sound design in Tamil cinema through his own production house, Rajkamal International. Films like 'Hey Ram,' 'Virumaandi,' and 'Vishwaroopam' exemplify his ambition as a writer-director tackling complex historical and political themes. Haasan is celebrated for his chameleonic ability to inhabit diverse roles, from the iconic gangster Velu Naicker in 'Nayagan' to a man with dwarfism in 'Appu' and a woman in 'Avvai Shanmugi.' His contributions extend beyond acting to screenwriting, direction, production, playback singing, and choreography, making him a complete filmmaker. He has significantly influenced generations of actors and technicians, raising the bar for artistic and technical excellence. His work has been instrumental in bringing Tamil cinema to a pan-Indian and international audience, cementing his status as a cultural icon and one of the most influential artists in the history of Indian film.