This is Part 14 of Legends of Indian Cinema, our 20-part series on the actors, filmmakers and musicians who shaped Indian films across languages. New here? Start with Part 1: Dadasaheb Phalke, or read the previous part, Part 13: Rajinikanth.
Few actors have experimented as boldly as Kamal Haasan. Known as "Ulaganayagan" (Universal Hero), he has played dwarfs, old women, twins and ten characters in one film. He has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada and Bengali, and his career has run for more than 65 years.
Early life
- Born on 7 November 1954 in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, the son of a lawyer and freedom fighter.
- At six, he acted in Kalathur Kannamma (1960). The film won the President's Gold Medal, and he won a special award for his performance.
- As a teenager, he worked as an assistant dance choreographer before returning to acting.
Rise as a leading man
- K. Balachander's films, including Arangetram (1973), Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974) and Apoorva Raagangal (1975), made him a star.
- 16 Vayathinile (1977) and Moondram Pirai (1982) showed his depth. The second won him his first National Award for Best Actor.
- His Hindi hit Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981) made him a national name.
Landmark films
- Nayakan (1987): directed by Mani Ratnam, it told the story of a Bombay underworld don. It brought him a second National Award, and TIME magazine later listed it among the 100 greatest films ever made.
- Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989): he played a man of short stature, using clever camera tricks.
- Thevar Magan (1992): he wrote and produced it, and starred alongside Sivaji Ganesan.
- Indian (1996): his third National Award for Best Actor.
- Hey Ram (2000), Anbe Sivam (2003) and Dasavathaaram (2008), in which he played ten roles.
- Vikram (2022) was one of the biggest hits of his career. Thug Life (2025) reunited him with Mani Ratnam after 38 years.
Beyond acting
- He is also a writer, director, producer, singer and lyricist, and he pushed new film technology in Tamil cinema.
- He founded the Makkal Needhi Maiam party in 2018, and in 2025 he became a Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu.
- Padma Shri (1990) and Padma Bhushan (2014). France made him a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2016.
Legacy
Kamal Haasan's career is a lesson in reinvention. With multiple National Awards and a record number of Filmfare awards from across South Indian and Hindi cinema, he has shown that a star can also be a fearless artist.
Next in the series: Part 15: Sridevi.
