Amid 'Indian 2' Release, Look At Some Of Best Kamal Haasan Films
Amid Indian 2 release, here are some of the best films, starring Kamal Haasan.
Fans cannot keep calm as Kamal Haasan's much-awaited 'Indian 2' has finally been released in cinemas. The Shankar-directorial is a sequel to the 1996 smash-hit 'Indian'. In the latest entertainment news, the new pan-India movie, which has been released as 'Hindustani 2' in the Hindi language, also stars Siddharth, S. J. Suryah, Rakul Preet Singh, Bobby Simha, Vivek, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Gulshan Grover, Samuthirakani and Nedumudi Venu. In 'Indian 2', Kamal Haasan is reprising his role as Senapathy, an ageing freedom fighter, who is hell-bent on fighting against corruption. The initial reaction to the film makes it likely that the film will emerge as a blockbuster at the box office.
It is also important to mention that Kamal Haasan also plays a key role in Nag Ashwin's 'Kalki 2898 AD', and the veteran actor is winning a lot of praise for his work as the antagonist Supreme Yaskin in the science-fiction epic. We now look forward to his power-packed in the second part of the 'Kalki' universe.
As the euphoria around 'Indian 2' continues to gather steam, we have decided to take a look at Kamal Haasan's career, which has lasted more than five decades.
Over the years, Kamal Haasan has won several accolades, including four National Film Awards, nine Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, four Nandi Awards, one Rashtrapati Award, two Filmfare Awards, and seventeen Filmfare Awards South. He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1990 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.
Speaking of Kamal Haasan, he was born on November 7, 1954, in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu. The actor's journey in cinema began as a child artist and over the years, his career has evolved into a celebrated one, spanning over six decades, making him one of the most revered figures in Indian cinema. Throughout his career, Kamal Haasan has also managed to create a niche for himself in the Indian film industry with his talent and versatility.
Speaking of his early days, Kamal Haasan's journey in showbiz started at the young age of six when he made his debut in the Tamil film 'Kalathur Kannamma' (1959). His performance resulted in him winning the President's Gold Medal, marking the beginning of a prolific career. As a child artist, he worked in several films. It was in the 1970s that he transitioned from child artist to lead actor, quickly establishing himself as a versatile performer. His breakthrough role came with the film 'Apoorva Raagangal' (1975), directed by K. Balachander. The film not only showcased his acting prowess but also marked the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration with the director.
As his career progressed, Kamal Haasan starred in several critically acclaimed films. In 'Moondram Pirai' (1982), Kamal Haasan played a caring caretaker of a woman with amnesia, and in 'Nayakan' (1987), he portrayed a gangster. Hence it is no surprise that in his career, Kamal Haasan has won four National Film Awards for Best Actor for his performances in 'Moondram Pirai' (1982), 'Nayakan' (1987), 'Indian' (1996), and 'Thevar Magan' (1992).
It is also important to mention that it is not just acting in which Kamal Haasan has shown great talent. He is also an accomplished screenwriter, producer, and director. His directorial ventures, such as 'Hey Ram' (2000) and 'Vishwaroopam' (2013), highlight his commitment to pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema with fresh storytelling and technical excellence.
If we leave Kamal Haasan's acting talent aside, he has also been an advocate for social issues and has used his voice to raise awareness about various causes. In 2018, he ended up founding the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), and his sole aim was to address the needs of the common people and bring about positive change in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.
As we have already established the excellence of Kamal Haasan, we will be now talking about some of the finest Kamal Haasan films.
So without further ado, the list is as follows:
Moondram Pirai (1982)
Directed by Balu Mahendra, 'Moondram Pirai' features Kamal Haasan in a key role as Srinivas. The actor plays a man who cares deeply for a woman (played by Sridevi) suffering from amnesia. The film’s climax is particularly heart-wrenching and showcases Haasan’s ability to convey deep emotional turmoil. His performance won him a National Film Award for Best Actor, further cementing his reputation as a powerhouse talent.
Nayakan (1987)
Directed by Mani Ratnam, 'Nayakan' is considered to be a landmark film in Tamil cinema. Inspired by the real-life story of Mumbai underworld don Varadarajan Mudaliar, Haasan plays Velu Nayakan, a man who becomes a powerful figure in the underworld. His portrayal earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor and remains one of his most iconic roles. The film is praised for its gritty narrative, brilliant performances, and Ilaiyaraaja’s haunting background score.
Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989)
In 'Apoorva Sagodharargal' (also known as 'Appu Raja'), Kamal Haasan plays triple roles, including that of a dwarf, which was a groundbreaking achievement in Indian cinema, at that time. Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, the film is a blend of comedy, drama, and action, and is remembered for Haasan’s exceptional performance and innovative use of special effects.
Thevar Magan (1992)
Directed by Bharathan, 'Thevar Magan' is a powerful drama set in rural Tamil Nadu. Kamal Haasan plays Sakthivel, a man who returns to his village and gets embroiled in local politics and feuds. The film is acclaimed for its strong performances, gripping narrative, and Ilaiyaraaja’s music. Haasan’s portrayal of Sakthivel is intense and memorable, making it one of his best performances.
Mahanadhi (1994)
Mahanadhi, directed by Santhana Bharathi, is a poignant tale of a man’s struggle to reunite with his children after they are taken away from him. Kamal Haasan’s portrayal of Krishnaswamy, a man who faces immense hardships, is both powerful and heart-wrenching. The film has been praised for its emotional depth and Haasan’s moving performance.
Indian (1996)
In 'Indian', directed by S Shankar, Kamal Haasan plays a dual role as father and son. The elder character, Senapathy, is a freedom fighter who becomes a vigilante to root out corruption. The film’s innovative story, impressive visual effects, and Haasan’s compelling performances made it a massive hit and earned him another National Film Award for Best Actor.
Chachi 420 (1997)
This is probably the funniest film of Kamal Haasan's career. The movie is an official remake of the 1996 Tamil movie 'Avvai Shanmughi', which itself was an adaptation of the 1993 Hollywood film 'Mrs. Doubtfire', starring Robin Williams. 'Chachi 420' stars Haasan, Nassar, Tabu, Amrish Puri, Om Puri, Johnny Walker, Paresh Rawal, Rajendranath Zutshi and Ayesha Jhulka. Who can forget Kamal Haasan's iconic performance as the chachi Laxmi Godbole?
Hey Ram (2000)
Kamal Haasan wrote, directed, and starred in 'Hey Ram', which is a historical drama, exploring the tumultuous period during India’s partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Haasan plays Saket Ram, a man caught in the crossfire of communal violence. The film is notable for its complex narrative, strong performances, and its bold take on sensitive historical events. The film also has an extended cameo of Shah Rukh Khan.
Anbe Sivam (2003)
Directed by Sundar C, 'Anbe Sivam' is a road drama that explores themes of humanism and compassion. Kamal Haasan plays Nallasivam, a scarred and physically challenged man who befriends a fellow traveler. The film is celebrated for its thought-provoking narrative, Haasan’s exceptional performance, and its exploration of philosophical themes.
Dasavathaaram (2008)
In 'Dasavathaaram', Kamal Haasan pushes the boundaries of his craft by playing ten different roles. Directed by KS Ravikumar, the film spans several centuries and explores themes of chaos theory and destiny. This film beautifully portrayed the versatility of Kamal Haasan.
Vishwaroopam (2013)
In 'Vishwaroopam', Kamal Haasan takes on the roles of writer, director, and lead actor. The film is a spy thriller that showcases Haasan as a multi-faceted talent. Playing a Kathak dancer who is in reality, a RAW agent, Haasan’s performance is gripping, and the film is noted for its high-octane action sequences and complex storyline.
Vikram (2022)
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, 'Vikram' also stars Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, Narain, Kalidas Jayaram, Gayathrie, Chemban Vinod Jose, Santhana Bharathi and Elango Kumaravel. Kamal Haasan plays the titular character in the film. The movie is the second installment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe and it is a successor to the 1986 film of the same name. In the movie, Kamal Haasan's character tries to take down Sandhanam, the runner of a drug syndicate Vetti Vagaiyara.
In the end, we can safely say that Kamal Haasan's career is a testament to his dedication, passion, and constant pursuit of excellence. He has always managed to reinvent himself and tackle challenging roles has inspired generations of actors. The biggest example of this is his role in Nag Ashwin's 'Kalki 2898 AD'. We just cannot wait to see how the actor keeps on reinventing himself.
