Kamal Haasan is an Indian actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, playback singer and politician whose film career began in 1960, when he was six years old. Over more than six decades he has acted in over 230 films in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Bengali, and is known for complex characters, multiple roles and heavy physical transformations.
He has won five National Film Awards, including three for Best Actor for Moondram Pirai, Nayakan and Indian, and a record 21 Filmfare Awards. As a writer-director, he made films such as Hey Ram, Virumaandi and Vishwaroopam.
He founded the party Makkal Needhi Maiam in 2018 and has been a Rajya Sabha MP since July 2025. On screen, he returned to box-office form with Vikram (2022), and in 2026 he is filming Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2.
Kamal Haasan Quick Facts
| Birth Name | Parthasarathy Srinivasan |
| Screen Name | Kamal Haasan |
| Nicknames | Ulaganayagan (“Universal Hero”), Aandavar |
| Profession | Actor, Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Playback Singer, Politician |
| Date of Birth | 7 November 1954 |
| Age | 71 years (as of September 2026) |
| Birthplace | Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Years Active | 1960–present |
| Debut | Kalathur Kannamma (1960, child artist) |
| Total Movies | 230+ films (as of September 2026) |
| Known For | Moondram Pirai, Nayakan, Apoorva Sagodharargal, Thevar Magan, Indian, Anbe Sivam, Dasavathaaram, Vikram |
| Parents | D. Srinivasan (father, lawyer), Rajalakshmi (mother) |
| Siblings | Charuhasan, Chandrahasan (brothers), Nalini Raghu (sister) |
| Spouses | Vani Ganapathy (m. 1978; div. 1988), Sarika (m. 1988; div. 2004) |
| Children | Shruti Haasan, Akshara Haasan |
| Production Company | Raaj Kamal Films International |
| Political Party | Makkal Needhi Maiam (founded 2018) |
| Political Office | Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (since July 2025) |
| Residence | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
Kamal Haasan Career in Numbers
As of September 2026, Kamal Haasan has acted in more than 230 films since 1960. Counts vary depending on how guest roles and films shot in two languages at once are counted.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Films | 230+ (1960–2025) |
| Career Span | 66 years (1960–present) |
| National Film Awards | 5 (3 Best Actor, 1 Best Child Artist, 1 as producer) |
| Filmfare Awards | 21, including 18 Best Actor wins across five languages |
| Filmfare Nominations | 64 |
| Padma Awards | Padma Shri (1990), Padma Bhushan (2014) |
| French Honour | Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2016) |
| Languages Acted In | Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Bengali |
| Bigg Boss Tamil | Hosted seasons 1–7 (2017–2023) |
Early Life and Family
Kamal Haasan was born on 7 November 1954 in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, and was first named Parthasarathy. His father, D. Srinivasan, was a criminal lawyer who had taken part in the freedom struggle, and his mother was Rajalakshmi. He is the youngest of four children. His brothers Charuhasan and Chandrahasan also worked in films, and his sister Nalini Raghu is a classical dancer. Actor-director Suhasini Maniratnam is his niece.
His father later renamed him “Kamal Haasan”. He studied in Paramakudi and then in Chennai, at Santhome school and Hindu Higher Secondary School, Triplicane, and trained in classical dance as a teenager.
Kamal Haasan Career Journey
Child Actor (1960–1963)
Kamal made his debut at six in A. Bhimsingh’s Kalathur Kannamma (1960), opposite Gemini Ganesan and Savitri. His performance won the President’s Gold Medal, the national award for best child artist. He acted in a few more films as a child before leaving cinema to study.
Dance Assistant to Leading Man (1970–1977)
He returned as a teenager, working as an assistant dance choreographer and in small roles. K. Balachander’s Arangetram (1973) gave him his first notable adult role, and Balachander became his mentor. His first lead role came in the Malayalam film Kanyakumari (1974), which won him his first Filmfare Award. He acted in Balachander’s Apoorva Raagangal (1975), Rajinikanth’s debut film, and in Moondru Mudichu and Avargal, often alongside Rajinikanth.
Stardom Across Languages (1977–1986)
Bharathiraja’s 16 Vayathinile (1977) and Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) made him a major star in Tamil. He also became popular in Malayalam and Telugu, with films such as Maro Charitra (1978), and made his Hindi lead debut in its remake Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981). Balu Mahendra’s Moondram Pirai (1982), about a young man caring for a woman with amnesia, won him his first National Award for Best Actor. The Telugu films Sagara Sangamam (1983) and Swathi Muthyam (1986) further widened his range.
Nayakan and a Landmark Run (1987–1996)
Mani Ratnam’s Nayakan (1987), in which he played a Mumbai gangster over several decades of his life, won him his second National Award for Best Actor. It was India’s submission for the Academy Awards and appears on Time magazine’s list of the all-time 100 best films.
He followed it with the silent film Pushpaka Vimana (1987), the triple-role comedy Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989), in which he played a dwarf, Gunaa (1991), and Thevar Magan (1992), which he wrote and produced. Shankar’s Indian (1996), in which he played an elderly freedom fighter and his son, brought him his third National Award for Best Actor.
Writer-Director (1997–2010)
He made his official debut as director with Hey Ram (2000), a drama set around the Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. He also wrote and directed Virumaandi (2004). Through the 2000s he balanced comedies such as Panchatanthiram and Vasool Raja MBBS with films such as Anbe Sivam (2003) and Dasavathaaram (2008), in which he played ten roles.
Vishwaroopam to Vikram (2013–2022)
Vishwaroopam (2013), a spy thriller he wrote and directed, faced a temporary ban in Tamil Nadu before release and went on to be a hit. After Papanasam (2015) and Vishwaroopam II (2018), he took a break from films for politics. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Vikram (2022), which he also produced, became one of the biggest hits of his career.
Recent Films (2024–2026)
In 2024 he played the villain Supreme Yaskin in Kalki 2898 AD and returned in Shankar’s Indian 2, which received poor reviews. In 2025 he reunited with Mani Ratnam for Thug Life, 38 years after Nayakan, but the film underperformed. In 2026 he began shooting Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2.
Kamal Haasan Movies: Key Filmography
| Year | Movie | Language | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Kalathur Kannamma | Tamil | Selvam | Debut; President’s Gold Medal |
| 1974 | Kanyakumari | Malayalam | Sankaran | First lead role |
| 1977 | 16 Vayathinile | Tamil | Chappani | Breakthrough |
| 1978 | Maro Charitra | Telugu | S. Balu | Telugu hit |
| 1981 | Ek Duuje Ke Liye | Hindi | Vasu | Hindi lead debut |
| 1982 | Moondram Pirai | Tamil | Seenu | National Award – Best Actor |
| 1983 | Sagara Sangamam | Telugu | Balakrishna | Dance drama |
| 1986 | Swathi Muthyam | Telugu | Sivayya | Oscar submission from India |
| 1987 | Nayakan | Tamil | Velu Naicker | National Award – Best Actor |
| 1989 | Apoorva Sagodharargal | Tamil | Appu / Raja / Sethupathi | Triple role |
| 1992 | Thevar Magan | Tamil | Sakthivel | Also writer and producer |
| 1996 | Indian | Tamil | Senapathy / Chandru | National Award – Best Actor |
| 1996 | Avvai Shanmugi | Tamil | Pandian / Avvai Shanmugi | Remade as Chachi 420 |
| 2000 | Hey Ram | Tamil / Hindi | Saketh Ram | Also director |
| 2003 | Anbe Sivam | Tamil | Nallasivam | Cult classic |
| 2004 | Virumaandi | Tamil | Virumaandi | Also director |
| 2008 | Dasavathaaram | Tamil | Ten roles | Also writer |
| 2013 | Vishwaroopam | Tamil / Hindi | Wisam Ahmad Kashmiri | Also director |
| 2015 | Papanasam | Tamil | Suyambulingam | Remake of Drishyam |
| 2022 | Vikram | Tamil | Arunkumar Vikram / Agent Vikram | Also producer; major hit |
| 2024 | Kalki 2898 AD | Telugu | Supreme Yaskin | Villain role |
| 2025 | Thug Life | Tamil | Rangaraaya Sakthivel | With Mani Ratnam |
Kamal Haasan as a Writer, Director and Producer
Kamal Haasan has written many of his films, including Thevar Magan, Mahanadhi, Anbe Sivam, Virumaandi, Dasavathaaram and Vishwaroopam. He directed Chachi 420 (1997), Hey Ram (2000), Virumaandi (2004), Vishwaroopam (2013) and Vishwaroopam II (2018).
His banner, Raaj Kamal Films International, founded in 1981, produced Vikram (2022) and Amaran (2024), starring Sivakarthikeyan, and is backing his next projects.
Kamal Haasan’s Political Career
Kamal Haasan launched Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) on 21 February 2018 in Madurai. The party contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election and the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly election without winning a seat; he narrowly lost in Coimbatore South in 2021.
In 2024 MNM joined the DMK-led alliance. With the alliance’s support, he was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha and took oath on 25 July 2025. In March 2026 he announced that MNM would not contest the 2026 Assembly election and would support the alliance instead.
Kamal Haasan Awards and Achievements
National Film Awards
| Film Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | National Film Award | Best Child Artist (President’s Gold Medal) | Kalathur Kannamma | Won |
| 1982 | National Film Award | Best Actor | Moondram Pirai | Won |
| 1987 | National Film Award | Best Actor | Nayakan | Won |
| 1992 | National Film Award | Best Feature Film in Tamil (Producer) | Thevar Magan | Won |
| 1996 | National Film Award | Best Actor | Indian | Won |
Honours
| Year | Honour | Awarded By |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Padma Shri | Government of India |
| 2014 | Padma Bhushan | Government of India |
| 2016 | Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres | Government of France |
He has won 21 Filmfare Awards from 64 nominations, both records for an actor. In 2000 he asked Filmfare to stop nominating him so that younger actors would get a chance. In 2025 he was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Kamal Haasan Lifestyle
Kamal Haasan is known for his interest in literature, poetry and rationalist thought, and he has described himself as an atheist. He writes poetry in Tamil and is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. He is also known for learning new filmmaking technology and for his physical transformations for roles.
He has been a long-standing supporter of organ and body donation and pledged his own body for medical research in 2002. His fan clubs were turned into welfare associations that run blood-donation and relief drives. In 2021 he launched the clothing brand KH House of Khaddar.
Kamal Haasan Personal Life
Kamal Haasan married dancer Vani Ganapathy in 1978; they divorced in 1988. He then married actress Sarika, and their daughters are Shruti Haasan, an actress and singer, and Akshara Haasan, an actress and assistant director. Kamal and Sarika divorced in 2004. He was later in a relationship with actress Gautami from 2005, which ended in 2016.
Kamal Haasan Net Worth
Kamal Haasan earns from acting, writing, direction, production through Raaj Kamal Films International, television hosting and business ventures.
Estimated Net Worth: Approximately ₹250–300 crore.
Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly reported information, such as media reports, published rich lists and election affidavits. They are not audited financial statements and may not account for liabilities, family holdings or changes in asset values.
Kamal Haasan Social Media
- X (Twitter): @ikamalhaasan
- Instagram: @ikamalhaasan
He uses X for political statements and film announcements, and often posts in Tamil.
Lesser-Known Facts About Kamal Haasan
- His birth name was Parthasarathy.
- He won a national award at the age of six, for his first film.
- He worked as an assistant dance choreographer before becoming a lead actor.
- Pushpaka Vimana (1987) has no spoken dialogue.
- He played ten different characters in Dasavathaaram (2008).
- Seven of his films, including Nayakan, Thevar Magan and Indian, were India’s submissions for the Oscars, a record for an actor.
- He asked Filmfare in 2000 to stop nominating him for awards.
Kamal Haasan Upcoming Movies and Current Projects
Currently Filming
- Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2: Nag Ashwin’s sequel, with Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan, in which he returns as Supreme Yaskin. Some of his scenes were shot in early 2026, regular shooting resumes in October 2026, and release is targeted for 2028.
Announced
- KH237: an action film to be written and directed by stunt choreographer duo Anbariv, produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, with music by Jakes Bejoy. Announced in November 2025; no release date has been set.
- Film with Rajinikanth: a reunion with Rajinikanth, reportedly to be directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. Reports in June 2026 said shooting was expected to start in 2027.
As Producer
- Thalaivar 173: a Rajinikanth film produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, announced in November 2025. The director and release date have not been officially confirmed.
Note: dates and project status can change. The details above reflect public reports as of September 2026.
Legacy and Impact
Kamal Haasan is widely credited with pushing Tamil cinema towards new ideas and techniques, from prosthetic make-up and multiple roles to a silent film and early digital filmmaking. His collaborations with K. Balachander, Bharathiraja, Balu Mahendra and Mani Ratnam produced some of the best-known films of Indian cinema.
His record of Filmfare wins, Oscar submissions and National Awards across different decades reflects a career built on range. Many actors and directors in Tamil and Malayalam cinema cite him as an influence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kamal Haasan
Who is Kamal Haasan?
Kamal Haasan is an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician, known mainly for Tamil films such as Nayakan, Indian and Vikram, and a Rajya Sabha MP since 2025.
What is Kamal Haasan’s real name?
He was born Parthasarathy; his father later renamed him Kamal Haasan.
How old is Kamal Haasan?
He was born on 7 November 1954, so he is 71 years old as of September 2026.
What was Kamal Haasan’s first movie?
His first film was Kalathur Kannamma (1960), in which he acted as a child and won the President’s Gold Medal.
How many movies has Kamal Haasan acted in?
He has acted in more than 230 films as of September 2026, across six languages.
How many National Awards has Kamal Haasan won?
He has won five National Film Awards: three for Best Actor, one as a child artist and one as producer of Thevar Magan.
Is Kamal Haasan in politics?
Yes. He founded Makkal Needhi Maiam in 2018 and has been a Rajya Sabha MP since July 2025.
Who are Kamal Haasan’s children?
His daughters are actress-singer Shruti Haasan and actress Akshara Haasan.
What is Kamal Haasan’s net worth?
Kamal Haasan’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹250–300 crore, based on publicly reported estimates. Net worth figures are estimates and are not audited financial statements.
What are Kamal Haasan’s upcoming movies?
He is filming Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2 and has announced KH237 with directors Anbariv.
Final Summary
Kamal Haasan began acting as a six-year-old and grew into one of Indian cinema’s most daring performers, with three National Awards for Best Actor and a record 21 Filmfare Awards. As a writer and director, he pushed Tamil cinema into new genres and techniques.
Now a Rajya Sabha MP, he continues to act and produce, with Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2 and KH237 ahead.