Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan, born on 7 November 1954, is an Indian actor, filmmaker, and politician who serves as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament representing Tamil Nadu. Working primarily in Tamil cinema, his extensive career encompasses roles as a director, producer, screenwriter, playback singer, lyricist, editor, choreographer, and television host. Beyond performing and film distribution, he edited the magazine Maiam, authored over 100 poems alongside several books, and appeared in more than 230 films across multiple Indian languages.

Haasan was born in Paramakudi to D. Srinivasan Iyengar, a lawyer and freedom fighter, and Rajalakshmi, a housewife. Originally named Parthasarathy, his father later changed his name to Kamal Haasan. Raised alongside two brothers who became actors and a sister who trained as a classical dancer, he moved to Madras for his education. His early interest in the arts led to his childhood film debut in Kalathur Kannamma, which earned him a Rashtrapati Award at age six. He subsequently acted in additional child roles and developed his theatrical craft with the T. K. S. Nataka Sabha repertory company.

Following a multi-year break, Haasan re-entered the film industry as an assistant dance choreographer and assistant director. He transitioned into supporting and antagonistic screen roles before securing his first primary lead performance in the Malayalam feature Kanyakumari. His major breakthrough in Tamil cinema occurred through K. Balachander's Apoorva Raagangal. Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, he expanded into Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and Bengali cinema, establishing a reputation for diverse characterizations in projects such as 16 Vayathinile, Maro Charitra, and Sigappu Rojakkal.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Haasan earned widespread critical recognition and multiple accolades. He received National Film Awards for his performances in Moondram Pirai, Nayakan, and Indian, as well as a National Award as a producer for Thevar Magan. His filmography from this era featured versatile portrayals, including a dialogueless performance in Pushpaka Vimana, playing quadruplets in Michael Madana Kama Rajan, and directing as well as starring in the period drama Hey Ram. He also spearheaded the high-budget, unfinished historical film project Marudhanayagam.

In the 2000s, Haasan continued to write, direct, and star in various critically and commercially recognized productions. He directed Virumaandi, a film focused on capital punishment, and took on challenging physical roles, such as playing two distinct characters in Aalavandhan and portraying ten separate roles in the 2008 film Dasavathaaram. His artistic contributions spanned mainstream comedies like Thenali, Panchatanthiram, and Vasool Raja MBBS, alongside acclaimed dramatic features such as Anbe Sivam and the police procedural Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu.

In addition to his creative career, Haasan transformed his fan clubs into community welfare associations and served as a United Nations ambassador in 2007 for an HIV awareness campaign. He launched the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam in February 2018 and took his oath as a Rajya Sabha member in July 2025. His civilian and artistic honors include the Kalaimamani in 1978, the Padma Shri in 1990, the Padma Bhushan in 2014, and France's Order of Arts and Letters in 2016, alongside a 2025 invitation to join the actors' branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.