Kamal Haasan, born November 7, 1954, is an illustrious Indian actor, filmmaker, politician, and screenwriter who has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented and versatile actors in the history of Indian cinema. With a career spanning several decades, Kamal Haasan has showcased his exceptional acting skills in numerous films and has received several accolades for his contributions to the industry.
Kamal Haasan was born in Paramakudi, a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, to parents D. Srinivasan and Rajalakshmi Srinivasan. He has two brothers, Charuhasan and Chandrahasan, also associated with the film industry. His father was a lawyer and freedom fighter, influencing Kamal Haasan’s worldview and political aspirations.
Kamal Haasan’s tryst with cinema began at a very young age. He made his acting debut as a child artist in the 1960 Tamil film “Kalathur Kannamma”, for which he won the President’s Gold Medal. His extraordinary acting skills and dedication to his craft became evident early. He later transitioned into lead roles, and his breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed film “Moondram Pirai” (1982), in which he portrayed the role of a teacher caring for an amnesiac woman. The film earned him immense praise and established him as a prominent actor in the industry.
Some of his most notable films include:
“Indian” (1996) –
In this vigilante film, Kamal Haasan portrayed dual roles, earning praise for his performance as a freedom fighter turned vigilante.
“Dasavathaaram” (2008) –
An ambitious science-fiction thriller where Kamal Haasan played ten different roles, showcasing his versatility.
“Hey Ram” (2000) –
A period drama that explores the impact of the Partition of India and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
“Vishwaroopam” (2013) –
An espionage thriller that Kamal Haasan also directed and co-produced.
“Papanasam” (2015) –
A critically acclaimed thriller and a remake of the Malayalam film “Drishyam.”
Kamal Haasan’s talent and contribution to the film industry have earned him numerous awards and accolades. He has won several National Film Awards, including Best Actor and Best Child Artist. Additionally, he has received several Filmfare Awards and other regional film awards for his outstanding performances. He was also honoured with the Padma Shri (1990) and Padma Bhushan (2014) awards by the Indian government.
Kamal Haasan is known for his fascination with cars. Kamal owns a BMW 730LD and a Lexus Lx 570, among others, and the cost of these two cars put together is Rs. 3.69 Crores.
Kamal Haasan has been married twice. He was first married to Vani Ganapathy, a noted classical dancer. Later, he married actress Sarika Thakur, and the couple has two daughters, Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan, who followed in their father’s footsteps and established themselves as talented actors in the film industry.
As of 2023, Kamal Haasan’s annual income is $5 million, primarily from acting, brand promotions, guest appearances, and collaborations. He earns around Rs. 2 lakhs per day on Big Boss and owns seven properties in Chennai, 2 in Bangalore, and 3 in Mangalore.
