Kamal Haasan is a famous Indian actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, playback singer, television presenter, social activist and politician who works mainly in Tamil cinema.
He has won numerous awards, including four National Film Awards, 17 Filmfare Awards, and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier).
He is also the president of the Makkal Needhi Maiam, a political party in Tamil Nadu.
Kamal Haasan Early Life and Education
Kamal Haasan was born on 7 November 1954 in Paramakudi, a town in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. His father, D. Srinivasan, was a lawyer and his mother, Rajalakshmi, was a housewife.
He was the youngest of four children and had three elder brothers. He belonged to a Tamil Brahmin family and was named Parthasarathy Srinivasan at birth.
He commenced his primary education in Paramakudi before relocating to Madras (now Chennai) to accompany his brothers who were pursuing higher education. Haasan continued his education in Santhome, Madras, and was attracted towards film and fine arts as encouraged by his father.
He made his debut as a child artist in the 1960 Tamil film Kalathur Kannamma at the age of six, for which he won the President’s Gold Medal. He also acted in several other films as a child, such as Paarthal Pasi Theerum, Anandha Jodhi, and Kannum Karalum.
Haasan dropped out of school after his ninth grade and focused on his acting career. He learned various skills such as dancing, singing, and playing musical instruments from different mentors.
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Kamal Haasan Career
Kamal Haasan is one of the most versatile and acclaimed actors in Indian cinema, who has worked in various languages and genres. He started his career as a child artist in the 1960 Tamil film Kalathur Kannamma, for which he won the President’s Gold Medal. He then acted in several films as a child and a teenager, such as Paarthal Pasi Theerum, Anandha Jodhi, and Kannum Karalum.
He made his debut as a lead actor in the 1975 drama Apoorva Raagangal, directed by K. Balachander, in which he played a rebellious youth who falls in love with an older woman. He won his first National Film Award for his portrayal of a guileless school teacher who cares for a woman who suffers from retrograde amnesia in Moondram Pirai (1982).
He continued to garner immense acclaim for his remarkable performances in films such as Sagara Sangamam (1983), Swathi Muthyam (1986), Nayakan (1987), Pushpaka Vimana (1987), Sathyaa (1988), Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989), Gunaa (1991), Thevar Magan (1992), Nammavar (1994), Mahanadhi (1994), Indian (1996), Hey Ram (2000), Aalavandhan (2001), Anbe Sivam (2003), Virumaandi (2004), Vettaiyadu Villaiyadu (2006), Dasavathaaram (2008) – where he portrayed ten distinct roles – Vishwaroopam (2013), and Vikram (2022). His production company, Raaj Kamal Films International, has produced several of his films.
Haasan is also recognized for pioneering numerous new film technologies and filmmaking techniques within the Indian film industry. With a cinematic career spanning 60 years as of 2020, his trajectory in cinema has encompassed diverse roles, transitioning from a child artist to a romantic lead, and ultimately evolving into one of the most esteemed and revered heroes of the film industry today.
He is famously known to have expressed being a reluctant actor, showcasing a keen interest in every facet of filmmaking. Haasan’s versatility extends beyond acting, as he has made significant contributions as a choreographer, director, and writer within the industry. He wrote his first script at age 18 for the film Unarchigal (1976), which was then followed by films that have gone on to become cult classics.
Additionally, he is a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction in Tamil, with his published works serving as a testament to his continuous exploration of structure and form. He is also a student of Carnatic music, studying under musical maestro Dr. Balamuralikrishna.
One of his greatest successes as a playback singer came with the song “Inji Iduppazhagi” from the film Thevar Magan. Furthermore, his directorial journey commenced with the film Chachi 420 (1997), which was the Hindi remake of Avvai Shanmugi. Since then he has called the shots for critically acclaimed films like Hey Ram and Virumaandi.
He is also the president of the Makkal Needhi Maiam, a political party in Tamil Nadu.
Kamal Haasan Awards
Kamal Haasan has been honored with numerous accolades, including four National Film Awards, nine Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, four Nandi Awards, one Rashtrapati Award, two Filmfare Awards, and an impressive tally of 17 Filmfare Awards South.
He was awarded the Kalaimamani Award in 1984, the Padma Shri in 1990, the Padma Bhushan in 2014 and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier) in 2016.
Kamal Haasan Wife and Children
Kamal Haasan has been married twice and has three daughters. His first wife was Vani Ganapathy, a dancer whom he married in 1978 and divorced in 1988. His second wife was Sarika Thakur, an actress whom he married in 1988 and divorced in 2004.
He has two daughters with Sarika, Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan, who are both actresses. He also has a third daughter, Subbalakshmi, from a previous relationship.
Kamal Haasan Net Worth
Kamal Haasan’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million as of 2023. He has earned his wealth from his long and successful career as an actor, producer, director, screenwriter, singer, and politician. He owns several properties and luxury cars, including a home in London.
Kamal Haasan Social Media Handles
Kamal Haasan is active on various social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Here are his official social media handles:
- Twitter: @ikamalhaasan
- Instagram: @ikamalhaasan
- Facebook: @iKamalHaasan
