Friday, July 4, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
About Kamal
Kamal Haasan (born November 7, 1954 in Paramakudi, India) is an Indian film actor and director, considered among the leading method actors of Indian cinema.
Kamal Hasan was born in Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram district, Madurai. His father Srinivasan was a successful advocate, who was close to the then raja of Ramanathapuram. His mother Rajalakshmi was a cultured house wife. He is a Hindu by faith though people often get confused by his middle name "Haasan" that his father gave him. Hassan is known for winning several Indian film awards, including National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards, and has the distinction of being the actor with the most number of films submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In addition to acting and directing, he is a screenwriter, lyricist, playback singer and choreographer. His film production company, Rajkamal International, has produced several of his films.
Kamal Haasan's breakthrough into lead acting came with his role in the 1975 drama, Apoorva Raagangal, in which he played a rebellious youth in love with an older woman. He secured his first Indian National Film Award for his portrayal of a guileless school teacher who tends a child-like amnesiac in 1982's Moondram Pirai. He was particularly noted for his performance in Mani Ratnam's Godfatheresque Nayagan (1987), which was ranked by Time magazine as one of the best films of all-time.
1 Biography
1.1 Early career: 1960s – early 1970s
1.2 Classic period: 1970s – 1980s
1.3 The 1990s
1.4 2000s: Hey Ram and onwards
2 Awards
3 Notable filmography
Kamal Haasan says and proclaims he is a Atheist and follower of Periyar and M.Karunanidhi. But he seems to be beliving in numerology or namelogy like Mr.Satyarajand have added one more A to his name as HAASAN against Hasan and for his production Company as RAAJ KAMAL International.
Early career: 1960s – early 1970s
Kamal Haasan made his film debut as a 6-year-old child artiste, in the 1960 film, Kalathur Kannamma, directed by A. Bhimsingh. He was cast along with the veteran Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan in the film, which won him the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. He acted as a child actor in five other Tamil films in the subsequent few years co-starring with popular actors at the era, including Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran.By acclamation he is the best actor of all time in India.
Following a nine year hiatus from films, to concentrate on his education, Haasan returned with a series of low budget films in 1972, in all of which he played supporting roles to more estblished actors. These films included roles in Arangetram and Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, both co-starring Sivakumar. His final supporting role before establishing himself as a lead actor was in Naan Avanillai, which became a trendsetter for some of Haasan's later ventures.
Kamal's latest venture was Dasavataram..In this film he is doing 10 different roles.
Classic period: 1970s – 1980s
Haasan first received a regional Filmfare Award for his role in the Malayalam movie Kanyakumari (1974). In the next four years, he won six regional Best Actor Filmfare Awards, including four consecutive Best Tamil Actor Awards. After a series of less successful films, he acted in director K. Balachander's Apoorva Raagangal, an exploration of age-gap relationships. Haasan subsequently had frequent collaboration with K. Balachander between the mid- and late 1970s. The latter cast him in numerous of his socially-themed films such as Avargal (1977). The film won Haasan his first Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. In 1976, Haasan appeared in the drama Moondru Mudichu alongside Rajnikanth and Sridevi. He appeared in another film by K. Balachander, Manmadha Leelai, and Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, which won him his second consecutive Best Actor Award. 16 Vayathinile won him his third consecutive award, where he appeared as an mentally ill villager, once again alongside Rajnikanth and Sridevi. The fourth consecutive award came with Sigappu Rojakal in which he appeared as an anti-hero who is a psychopathic sexual killer. Furthermore in the late seventies, Haasan appeared in successful films such as the comedy, Ninaithale Inikkum and the horror film, Neeya.
Following his increased prominence in the latter half of the 1970s, Haasan was considered a major Tamil film star at the turn of the decade. His popular pairing with the actress Sridevi continued with Guru and Varumayin Niram Sigappu in 1980. Both films were blockbuster successes for these actors. Kamal Haasan also made guest/cameo appearances, such as in the Rajnikanth film Thillu Mullu; Rajnikanth had previously appeared in some of Kamal Haasans previous films.
Kamal Haasan (left) as pictured in Saagara Sangamam
Haasan's 100th career film appearance was in 1981's Raja Paarvai, which also marked his debut in film production. Despite this film's relatively poor reception at the cinemas, his portrayal of a blind session violinist earned him a Filmfare Award. His next acting role, in Ek Duuje Ke Liye, became his first Hindi-language film. It was the remake of his previous Telugu-language film, Maro Charithra by K. Balachandar. Following a year of starring in commercially-oriented films, Haasan won his first of three National Awards for Best Actor with his portrayal of a school teacher who looks after a mentally retarded girl in Balu Mahendra's Moondram Pirai. Till 1985, Haasan began to appear in more Hindi language films, which went relatively unnoticed but his performance in Saagar, won him both the Filmfare Best Actor Award as well as the Best Supporting Actor Award, making him the first actor to win both awards for a single film in the award's history. Saagar portrayed him alongisde Rishi Kapoor both of whom were pinning for a woman, but Haasan ultimately loses out. Haasan also appeared in Geraftaar, a film which failed to make an impact upon release, but today is known for featuring three prominent actors in Indian cinema: Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth and Haasan. He featured in Tamil cinema's first sequel Japanil Kalyanaraman, which followed up his previous, Kalyanaraman as well as acting in Uruvangal Maralam co-starring Sivaji Ganesan and Rajnikanth.
In the mid-1980's, Haasan appeared in two legendary Telugu language films, Sagara Sangamam and Swathi Muthyam with director, Kasinadhuni Viswanath. The latter film was India's representative for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film in 1986. Whilst, the former film portrayed Haasan as a drunkard classical dancer, Swathi Muthyam portrays him as an autistic person attempting to change society. Following more successful film such as Punnagai Mannan, in which he portrays dual roles including a satire of Charlie Chaplin and Vetri Vizha as an amnesiac, Haasan's most worldwide recognized role came in Mani Rathnam's 1987, trendsetter, Nayagan. Nayagan, commonly referred to "The Godfather" of Tamil cinema, portrays the life of an underworld don in Bombay. The story revolves around the life of a real-life underworld don called Varadarajan Mudaliar, whilst sympathetically depicting the struggle of South Indians living in Mumbai. The film helped Kamal Haasan secure a Indian National Award for his performance and Nayagan was nominated by India as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1987 as well as being included in the Time top 100 movies list. In 1988, Haasan appeared in his only silent film to date; appearing in the black comedy, Pushpak, which was dubbed as a "speechless classic" with reviewers stating that "Haasan surpasses himself", delivering an all time best performance. Apoorva Sagodharargal became Haasan's first attempt at playing a triple role. The commercial film portrayed him in a role as a dwarf, making it the first time that an actor had attempted to play such a role. He then attempted dual roles in Indrudu Chandrudu and its Tamil remake, winning the regional Best Actor Award for his performance.
1990s
Kamal Haasan in his yet-to-be-completed Marudanayagam
1991's Michael Madhana Kamarajan, saw Haasan go one step further, acting in four different roles as quadruplets, the film started an ongoing collabaration for comedy films between Haasan and Crazy Mohan, a dialogue writer. Haasan won successive best actor awards for his portrayal of the protagonist in Guna and in Thevar Magan, where he played the son of noted actor, Sivaji Ganesan. The 1990s saw Kamal breaking out of the romantic hero mould to explore some more gritty, unconventional roles. Following a series of unsuccessful projects in the mid-1990s, with experimentals such as Singaravelan, Maharasan and Kalaignan; Haasan began to appear in comedies such as Sathi Leelavathi, based on the English film, She-Devil as well as renewing his collobaration with Kasinadhuni Viswanath in his last Telugu language film till date, Subha Sankalpam. In 1996, Haasan starred in the police cop story, Kuruthipunal, which met with a strong critical reception is recognised by some to have set high benchmarks for other action films in that period. His success in Kuruthipunal, was followed by his third National Film Award for Best Actor in Indian. Playing dual roles of a freedom fighter and his untrustful son, the film also won Haasan regional awards and plaudits for his portrayal in the blockbuster. Haasan's performance was described as "superb" by critics, who also dubbed the "The biggest film ever made on the Indian Screen".
Haasan appeared as a woman in Avvai Shanmughi, which was inspired by the comedy flick, Mrs. Doubtfire, bringing him praise for his portrayal. In 1997, Haasan began his maiden directorial venture, the biopic of Mohammed Yusuf Khan, Marudhanayagam. However the film, which was started by Queen Elizabeth II, failed to complete its schedules with only half an hour and a trailer being recorded during its shoot. The film's ambitious budget forced Haasan to abandon the project at the time; if made, the film would have been been the costliest film ever made in Asia. Haasan soon made his debut as director with a remake of Avvai Shanmughi in Hindi titled Chachi 420, which became a success upon release. Kamal Haasan's direction was praised as "fantastic" and that he "handles every scene with precision" with "the fine tuning it takes to become a wonderful director", whilst his performance was applauded as "nothing less than brilliance".
2000s: Hey Ram and onwards
Kamal Haasan pictured with Manisha Koirala in Aalavandhan
Following a two year hiatus in Indian cinema, Haasan opted against reviving his magnum opus, Marudhanayagam and filmed his second directorial venture, Hey Ram, a period drama told in flashback with a semi-fictional plot centering around India's Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Haasan also donned technical roles as the writer, the lyricist and the choreogrpaher as well as producing the film under his home banner. The bilingual venture, starring himself in the lead role alongside Shahrukh Khan and Rani Mukerji failed to become successful commercially but became critically acclaimed. Haasan was praised for his "technical wizardry" and acting, but critics called the film "hard to categorize" and "too controversial". His following film, the much-hyped Aalavandhan, where he portrayed two distinct roles; of one, he had his head tonsured and gained ten kilograms for also failed to live up to expectations at the box-office.
Following a series of successful comedies in Thenali, Panchathantiram and Pammal K. Sambandam and a couple of guest appearances, Haasan directed his third feature film in Virumaandi. Virumandi, became the first Tamil film to feature different sides of the story, surrounding the controversy of the death penalty. Haasan's directorial work earned reviews that claimed it was "technical excellence in every sphere", however the film only broke even at the box-office, failing to capitalize on its publicity. Haasan also appeared in Anbe Sivam alongside close friend, Madhavan, in a film he was claimed to have ghost-directed. Priyadarshan, who started the film departed allowing commercial director Sundar C make a film unknown to his usual genre; furthermore the film also preached views of atheism, which Haasan is renowned for following. Anbe Sivam told the story of Nallasivam, enacted by Haasan as an idealist, social activist and communist, whose past is poignant and present moving. Kamal Haasan's performance was highly lauded by critics with The Hindu stating that Haasan "has once again done Tamil cinema proud", however in contrast, the film failed to become a success, with Haasan later lashing out at award judges, claiming he deserved credit for his script writing and acting.
Haasan appeared in the remake film, Vasool Raja alongside Sneha, which triumphed at the box-office, whilst his following film, Mumbai Express, which he had written for flopped at the box-office, as it opened with the record-breaking Rajnikanth starrer, Chandramukhi. In 2006, Haasan's long delayed project, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu became a blockbuster at the box office. Gautham Menon's Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu was Haasan's first cop film in a decade since Kuruthipunal, earning his portrayal as the New York detective rave reviews. His latest release, Dasavatharam is the longest film taken for Kamal Haasan to complete, lasting three years. Pairing opposite Asin Thottumkal, Haasan reprised ten roles in the film, a couple of which are claimed to have taken nearly four hours to apply the correct make-up on. The film, which Haasan had to go to court to sort out story legalities, released in June 2008 becoming the most expensive Indian film to date, passing the mark of Sivaji: The Boss, which Dasavatharam was initially to release against simultaneously.
Following the completion of Dasavatharam, Haasan is set to direct his fourth directorial venture under the production of Walt Disney Pictures, who by backing Haasan, make their debut in Indian cinema.The film tentiatively titled Marmayogi, is believed to be set in the 7th century and feature several leading stars in the lead roles alongside Haasan. The film was announced with a higher budget than Dasavatharam and the upcoming science-fiction Rajnikanth starrer, Robot, which Marmayogi has been dubbed to compete against. Haasan has still expressed desire in completing his magnum opus, Marudanayagam if producers will to help him out, however the film if released will be spanned at a duration of over nearly fifteen years, failing to maintain consistency in technology.
[edit] Awards
Kamal is the only actor to receive four National Film Awards in India. He won his National awards for the films Nayagan, Moondram Pirai and Indian. He also won the national award for Best Child Actor for his performance in Kalathur Kannamma. He has also received the best actor award at the Asian Film festivals held in 1983 and 1985 for Saagara Sangamam and Swathi Muthyam respectively. Seven of his movies have been sent as India's official entry to the Oscars. Kamal has won the Filmfare awards 18 times.
He was awarded the fourth highest recognition given to Indian civilians - the Padmashri in 1990. He was conferred an honorary doctorate by Sathyabama University, Chennai in 2005.[1]
Kamal was also conferred with a unique honour this year(2007) as "Living Legend" in the film business by FICCI,India.[2]
All awards presented to him are for his artistic talent. He got the first Abraham Kovoor National Award for his Humanist Activities and Secular Life.[citation needed]
Kamal Hassan also was conferred the Nandi Award 20 times in his lifetime.[citation needed]
[edit] Notable filmography
Further information: Kamal Haasan filmography
Year
Title
Role(s)
Language
Notes
1960
Kalathur Kannamma
Selvam
Tamil
Winner: National Film Award for Best Child Artist
1975
Apoorva Raagangal
Prasanna
Tamil
Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
1977
16 Vayathinile
Chappani
Tamil
Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
1982
Moondram Pirai
Srinivasan
Tamil
Winner: National Film Award for Best Actor
1983
Sagara Sangamam
Balakrishna
Telugu
Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor AwardWinner: Nandi Award for Best Actor
1987
Nayagan
Velu Nayakkar
Tamil
Winner: National Film Award for Best Actor
1988
Pushpak
Pushpak
Silent
Winner: Filmfare Best Kannada Actor Award
1989
Apoorva Sagodharargal
SedhupathyRajaAppu
Tamil
Portrayed triple roles
1991
Michael Madhana Kamarajan
MichaelMadhanKameshwaranRajan
Tamil
Portrayed four rolesScripted by Kamal HaasanProduced by Kamal Haasan
1992
Thevar Magan
Shakthivelu Thevar
Tamil
Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor AwardProduced by Kamal HaasanScripted by Kamal Haasan
1996
Indian
Senapathy BoseChandra Bose
Tamil
Portrayed a dual roleWinner: National Film Award for Best ActorWinner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
1998
Chachi 420
Jaiprakash PaswanLakshmi Godbhole
Hindi
Portrayed a dual roleProduced by Kamal HaasanScripted by Kamal HaasanDirected by Kamal Haasan
2000
Hey Ram
Saket Ram
Tamil
Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor AwardSimultaneously made into Hindi as Hey RamProduced by Kamal HaasanScripted by Kamal HaasanDirected by Kamal Haasan
2001
Aalavandhan
Vijay KumarNandhu Kumar
Tamil
Portrayed a dual role
2003
Anbe Sivam
Nalla Sivam
Tamil
Scripted by Kamal Haasan
2004
Virumaandi
Virumaandi
Tamil
Produced by Kamal HaasanScripted by Kamal HaasanDirected by Kamal Haasan
2006
Vettaiyadu Vilayadu
Raghavan
Tamil
Scripted by Kamal Haasan
2008
Dasavatharam
Rangarajan NambiDr.GovindarajanChirstian FletcherBalram NaiduKrishnaveniVincent PoovaraghanKhalif UllahAvtaar SinghGeorge W BushShingen Narahasi
Tamil
Portrayed 10 different rolesDirected By K.S. RavikumarStory, Screenplay and Scripted by Kamal HaasanProduced by Aascar Ravichandran
2008
Marmayogi
Tamil
Directed by Kamal HaasanProduced by Walt Disney Pictures
Kamal Hasan was born in Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram district, Madurai. His father Srinivasan was a successful advocate, who was close to the then raja of Ramanathapuram. His mother Rajalakshmi was a cultured house wife. He is a Hindu by faith though people often get confused by his middle name "Haasan" that his father gave him. Hassan is known for winning several Indian film awards, including National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards, and has the distinction of being the actor with the most number of films submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In addition to acting and directing, he is a screenwriter, lyricist, playback singer and choreographer. His film production company, Rajkamal International, has produced several of his films.
Kamal Haasan's breakthrough into lead acting came with his role in the 1975 drama, Apoorva Raagangal, in which he played a rebellious youth in love with an older woman. He secured his first Indian National Film Award for his portrayal of a guileless school teacher who tends a child-like amnesiac in 1982's Moondram Pirai. He was particularly noted for his performance in Mani Ratnam's Godfatheresque Nayagan (1987), which was ranked by Time magazine as one of the best films of all-time.
1 Biography
1.1 Early career: 1960s – early 1970s
1.2 Classic period: 1970s – 1980s
1.3 The 1990s
1.4 2000s: Hey Ram and onwards
2 Awards
3 Notable filmography
Kamal Haasan says and proclaims he is a Atheist and follower of Periyar and M.Karunanidhi. But he seems to be beliving in numerology or namelogy like Mr.Satyarajand have added one more A to his name as HAASAN against Hasan and for his production Company as RAAJ KAMAL International.
Early career: 1960s – early 1970s
Kamal Haasan made his film debut as a 6-year-old child artiste, in the 1960 film, Kalathur Kannamma, directed by A. Bhimsingh. He was cast along with the veteran Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan in the film, which won him the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. He acted as a child actor in five other Tamil films in the subsequent few years co-starring with popular actors at the era, including Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran.By acclamation he is the best actor of all time in India.
Following a nine year hiatus from films, to concentrate on his education, Haasan returned with a series of low budget films in 1972, in all of which he played supporting roles to more estblished actors. These films included roles in Arangetram and Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, both co-starring Sivakumar. His final supporting role before establishing himself as a lead actor was in Naan Avanillai, which became a trendsetter for some of Haasan's later ventures.
Kamal's latest venture was Dasavataram..In this film he is doing 10 different roles.
Classic period: 1970s – 1980s
Haasan first received a regional Filmfare Award for his role in the Malayalam movie Kanyakumari (1974). In the next four years, he won six regional Best Actor Filmfare Awards, including four consecutive Best Tamil Actor Awards. After a series of less successful films, he acted in director K. Balachander's Apoorva Raagangal, an exploration of age-gap relationships. Haasan subsequently had frequent collaboration with K. Balachander between the mid- and late 1970s. The latter cast him in numerous of his socially-themed films such as Avargal (1977). The film won Haasan his first Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. In 1976, Haasan appeared in the drama Moondru Mudichu alongside Rajnikanth and Sridevi. He appeared in another film by K. Balachander, Manmadha Leelai, and Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, which won him his second consecutive Best Actor Award. 16 Vayathinile won him his third consecutive award, where he appeared as an mentally ill villager, once again alongside Rajnikanth and Sridevi. The fourth consecutive award came with Sigappu Rojakal in which he appeared as an anti-hero who is a psychopathic sexual killer. Furthermore in the late seventies, Haasan appeared in successful films such as the comedy, Ninaithale Inikkum and the horror film, Neeya.
Following his increased prominence in the latter half of the 1970s, Haasan was considered a major Tamil film star at the turn of the decade. His popular pairing with the actress Sridevi continued with Guru and Varumayin Niram Sigappu in 1980. Both films were blockbuster successes for these actors. Kamal Haasan also made guest/cameo appearances, such as in the Rajnikanth film Thillu Mullu; Rajnikanth had previously appeared in some of Kamal Haasans previous films.
Kamal Haasan (left) as pictured in Saagara Sangamam
Haasan's 100th career film appearance was in 1981's Raja Paarvai, which also marked his debut in film production. Despite this film's relatively poor reception at the cinemas, his portrayal of a blind session violinist earned him a Filmfare Award. His next acting role, in Ek Duuje Ke Liye, became his first Hindi-language film. It was the remake of his previous Telugu-language film, Maro Charithra by K. Balachandar. Following a year of starring in commercially-oriented films, Haasan won his first of three National Awards for Best Actor with his portrayal of a school teacher who looks after a mentally retarded girl in Balu Mahendra's Moondram Pirai. Till 1985, Haasan began to appear in more Hindi language films, which went relatively unnoticed but his performance in Saagar, won him both the Filmfare Best Actor Award as well as the Best Supporting Actor Award, making him the first actor to win both awards for a single film in the award's history. Saagar portrayed him alongisde Rishi Kapoor both of whom were pinning for a woman, but Haasan ultimately loses out. Haasan also appeared in Geraftaar, a film which failed to make an impact upon release, but today is known for featuring three prominent actors in Indian cinema: Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth and Haasan. He featured in Tamil cinema's first sequel Japanil Kalyanaraman, which followed up his previous, Kalyanaraman as well as acting in Uruvangal Maralam co-starring Sivaji Ganesan and Rajnikanth.
In the mid-1980's, Haasan appeared in two legendary Telugu language films, Sagara Sangamam and Swathi Muthyam with director, Kasinadhuni Viswanath. The latter film was India's representative for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film in 1986. Whilst, the former film portrayed Haasan as a drunkard classical dancer, Swathi Muthyam portrays him as an autistic person attempting to change society. Following more successful film such as Punnagai Mannan, in which he portrays dual roles including a satire of Charlie Chaplin and Vetri Vizha as an amnesiac, Haasan's most worldwide recognized role came in Mani Rathnam's 1987, trendsetter, Nayagan. Nayagan, commonly referred to "The Godfather" of Tamil cinema, portrays the life of an underworld don in Bombay. The story revolves around the life of a real-life underworld don called Varadarajan Mudaliar, whilst sympathetically depicting the struggle of South Indians living in Mumbai. The film helped Kamal Haasan secure a Indian National Award for his performance and Nayagan was nominated by India as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1987 as well as being included in the Time top 100 movies list. In 1988, Haasan appeared in his only silent film to date; appearing in the black comedy, Pushpak, which was dubbed as a "speechless classic" with reviewers stating that "Haasan surpasses himself", delivering an all time best performance. Apoorva Sagodharargal became Haasan's first attempt at playing a triple role. The commercial film portrayed him in a role as a dwarf, making it the first time that an actor had attempted to play such a role. He then attempted dual roles in Indrudu Chandrudu and its Tamil remake, winning the regional Best Actor Award for his performance.
1990s
Kamal Haasan in his yet-to-be-completed Marudanayagam
1991's Michael Madhana Kamarajan, saw Haasan go one step further, acting in four different roles as quadruplets, the film started an ongoing collabaration for comedy films between Haasan and Crazy Mohan, a dialogue writer. Haasan won successive best actor awards for his portrayal of the protagonist in Guna and in Thevar Magan, where he played the son of noted actor, Sivaji Ganesan. The 1990s saw Kamal breaking out of the romantic hero mould to explore some more gritty, unconventional roles. Following a series of unsuccessful projects in the mid-1990s, with experimentals such as Singaravelan, Maharasan and Kalaignan; Haasan began to appear in comedies such as Sathi Leelavathi, based on the English film, She-Devil as well as renewing his collobaration with Kasinadhuni Viswanath in his last Telugu language film till date, Subha Sankalpam. In 1996, Haasan starred in the police cop story, Kuruthipunal, which met with a strong critical reception is recognised by some to have set high benchmarks for other action films in that period. His success in Kuruthipunal, was followed by his third National Film Award for Best Actor in Indian. Playing dual roles of a freedom fighter and his untrustful son, the film also won Haasan regional awards and plaudits for his portrayal in the blockbuster. Haasan's performance was described as "superb" by critics, who also dubbed the "The biggest film ever made on the Indian Screen".
Haasan appeared as a woman in Avvai Shanmughi, which was inspired by the comedy flick, Mrs. Doubtfire, bringing him praise for his portrayal. In 1997, Haasan began his maiden directorial venture, the biopic of Mohammed Yusuf Khan, Marudhanayagam. However the film, which was started by Queen Elizabeth II, failed to complete its schedules with only half an hour and a trailer being recorded during its shoot. The film's ambitious budget forced Haasan to abandon the project at the time; if made, the film would have been been the costliest film ever made in Asia. Haasan soon made his debut as director with a remake of Avvai Shanmughi in Hindi titled Chachi 420, which became a success upon release. Kamal Haasan's direction was praised as "fantastic" and that he "handles every scene with precision" with "the fine tuning it takes to become a wonderful director", whilst his performance was applauded as "nothing less than brilliance".
2000s: Hey Ram and onwards
Kamal Haasan pictured with Manisha Koirala in Aalavandhan
Following a two year hiatus in Indian cinema, Haasan opted against reviving his magnum opus, Marudhanayagam and filmed his second directorial venture, Hey Ram, a period drama told in flashback with a semi-fictional plot centering around India's Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Haasan also donned technical roles as the writer, the lyricist and the choreogrpaher as well as producing the film under his home banner. The bilingual venture, starring himself in the lead role alongside Shahrukh Khan and Rani Mukerji failed to become successful commercially but became critically acclaimed. Haasan was praised for his "technical wizardry" and acting, but critics called the film "hard to categorize" and "too controversial". His following film, the much-hyped Aalavandhan, where he portrayed two distinct roles; of one, he had his head tonsured and gained ten kilograms for also failed to live up to expectations at the box-office.
Following a series of successful comedies in Thenali, Panchathantiram and Pammal K. Sambandam and a couple of guest appearances, Haasan directed his third feature film in Virumaandi. Virumandi, became the first Tamil film to feature different sides of the story, surrounding the controversy of the death penalty. Haasan's directorial work earned reviews that claimed it was "technical excellence in every sphere", however the film only broke even at the box-office, failing to capitalize on its publicity. Haasan also appeared in Anbe Sivam alongside close friend, Madhavan, in a film he was claimed to have ghost-directed. Priyadarshan, who started the film departed allowing commercial director Sundar C make a film unknown to his usual genre; furthermore the film also preached views of atheism, which Haasan is renowned for following. Anbe Sivam told the story of Nallasivam, enacted by Haasan as an idealist, social activist and communist, whose past is poignant and present moving. Kamal Haasan's performance was highly lauded by critics with The Hindu stating that Haasan "has once again done Tamil cinema proud", however in contrast, the film failed to become a success, with Haasan later lashing out at award judges, claiming he deserved credit for his script writing and acting.
Haasan appeared in the remake film, Vasool Raja alongside Sneha, which triumphed at the box-office, whilst his following film, Mumbai Express, which he had written for flopped at the box-office, as it opened with the record-breaking Rajnikanth starrer, Chandramukhi. In 2006, Haasan's long delayed project, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu became a blockbuster at the box office. Gautham Menon's Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu was Haasan's first cop film in a decade since Kuruthipunal, earning his portrayal as the New York detective rave reviews. His latest release, Dasavatharam is the longest film taken for Kamal Haasan to complete, lasting three years. Pairing opposite Asin Thottumkal, Haasan reprised ten roles in the film, a couple of which are claimed to have taken nearly four hours to apply the correct make-up on. The film, which Haasan had to go to court to sort out story legalities, released in June 2008 becoming the most expensive Indian film to date, passing the mark of Sivaji: The Boss, which Dasavatharam was initially to release against simultaneously.
Following the completion of Dasavatharam, Haasan is set to direct his fourth directorial venture under the production of Walt Disney Pictures, who by backing Haasan, make their debut in Indian cinema.The film tentiatively titled Marmayogi, is believed to be set in the 7th century and feature several leading stars in the lead roles alongside Haasan. The film was announced with a higher budget than Dasavatharam and the upcoming science-fiction Rajnikanth starrer, Robot, which Marmayogi has been dubbed to compete against. Haasan has still expressed desire in completing his magnum opus, Marudanayagam if producers will to help him out, however the film if released will be spanned at a duration of over nearly fifteen years, failing to maintain consistency in technology.
[edit] Awards
Kamal is the only actor to receive four National Film Awards in India. He won his National awards for the films Nayagan, Moondram Pirai and Indian. He also won the national award for Best Child Actor for his performance in Kalathur Kannamma. He has also received the best actor award at the Asian Film festivals held in 1983 and 1985 for Saagara Sangamam and Swathi Muthyam respectively. Seven of his movies have been sent as India's official entry to the Oscars. Kamal has won the Filmfare awards 18 times.
He was awarded the fourth highest recognition given to Indian civilians - the Padmashri in 1990. He was conferred an honorary doctorate by Sathyabama University, Chennai in 2005.[1]
Kamal was also conferred with a unique honour this year(2007) as "Living Legend" in the film business by FICCI,India.[2]
All awards presented to him are for his artistic talent. He got the first Abraham Kovoor National Award for his Humanist Activities and Secular Life.[citation needed]
Kamal Hassan also was conferred the Nandi Award 20 times in his lifetime.[citation needed]
[edit] Notable filmography
Further information: Kamal Haasan filmography
Year
Title
Role(s)
Language
Notes
1960
Kalathur Kannamma
Selvam
Tamil
Winner: National Film Award for Best Child Artist
1975
Apoorva Raagangal
Prasanna
Tamil
Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
1977
16 Vayathinile
Chappani
Tamil
Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
1982
Moondram Pirai
Srinivasan
Tamil
Winner: National Film Award for Best Actor
1983
Sagara Sangamam
Balakrishna
Telugu
Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor AwardWinner: Nandi Award for Best Actor
1987
Nayagan
Velu Nayakkar
Tamil
Winner: National Film Award for Best Actor
1988
Pushpak
Pushpak
Silent
Winner: Filmfare Best Kannada Actor Award
1989
Apoorva Sagodharargal
SedhupathyRajaAppu
Tamil
Portrayed triple roles
1991
Michael Madhana Kamarajan
MichaelMadhanKameshwaranRajan
Tamil
Portrayed four rolesScripted by Kamal HaasanProduced by Kamal Haasan
1992
Thevar Magan
Shakthivelu Thevar
Tamil
Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor AwardProduced by Kamal HaasanScripted by Kamal Haasan
1996
Indian
Senapathy BoseChandra Bose
Tamil
Portrayed a dual roleWinner: National Film Award for Best ActorWinner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
1998
Chachi 420
Jaiprakash PaswanLakshmi Godbhole
Hindi
Portrayed a dual roleProduced by Kamal HaasanScripted by Kamal HaasanDirected by Kamal Haasan
2000
Hey Ram
Saket Ram
Tamil
Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor AwardSimultaneously made into Hindi as Hey RamProduced by Kamal HaasanScripted by Kamal HaasanDirected by Kamal Haasan
2001
Aalavandhan
Vijay KumarNandhu Kumar
Tamil
Portrayed a dual role
2003
Anbe Sivam
Nalla Sivam
Tamil
Scripted by Kamal Haasan
2004
Virumaandi
Virumaandi
Tamil
Produced by Kamal HaasanScripted by Kamal HaasanDirected by Kamal Haasan
2006
Vettaiyadu Vilayadu
Raghavan
Tamil
Scripted by Kamal Haasan
2008
Dasavatharam
Rangarajan NambiDr.GovindarajanChirstian FletcherBalram NaiduKrishnaveniVincent PoovaraghanKhalif UllahAvtaar SinghGeorge W BushShingen Narahasi
Tamil
Portrayed 10 different rolesDirected By K.S. RavikumarStory, Screenplay and Scripted by Kamal HaasanProduced by Aascar Ravichandran
2008
Marmayogi
Tamil
Directed by Kamal HaasanProduced by Walt Disney Pictures
Dasavatharam Characters And Lord Vishnu Avatars
Dasavatharam Characters And Lord Vishnu Avatars
June 25, 2008
How many of you thought on these lines, but the below post makes a lot of sense about the film Dasavatharam. There are many discussions on the film happening here – about Chaos Theory, Butterfly Effect, God, Religion etc. .One thing we had noticed is why people didnt get the real subtext and reason for the various roles and hence the title.If you knew the real dasavatharams of Lord Vishnu and their characters you can appreciate the script more. Let me explain, starting with the best adapted role:
1. Krishna avatar - Vincent Poovaragan
Lord krishna is actually a dalit, he is dark-skinned [shyamalam]. He saved draupadi when she was being violated and he was the actual diplomat in mahabharatham. Lord krishna dies of an arrow striking his lower leg. Now look at how vincent was introduced.. he appears when asin is about to be molested and he saves her like draupadi. Vincent is the dalit diplomat, fights for land issue [soil issue to be exact] and dies from the metal rod striking his leg. Oh even five of vincent’s men are drugged at P. Vasu’s.. sounds familiar.
2. Balarama avatar - Balaram naidu
This is an easy given. as the name suggests and the role personifies you can easily get it.
3. Mathsya avatar - Rangaraja nambi
Nambi is thrown into water in an act of trying to save lord from being thrown into sea, though vainly. what more clue do you want?
4. Varaha avatar - Krishnaveni paatti
During the mukunda song, krishnaveni paatti does varaha avatar in the shadow puppetry. The frame freezes on it for a second. there is the clue. Moreover, in varaha avatar lord actually hides earth so as to protect life forms. Here too krishnaveni hides the germs - life form inside the statue so as to protect.
5. Vamana avatar - Kalifullah Khan
Remember in vamana avatar, lord vishnu takes the vishvaroopa, that is the giant form! Hence the giant kalifulla here symbolises vamana avatar.
6. Parasurama avatar - Christian Fletzer
Parasurama is actually on an angry killing spree and killed 21 generations of the particular kshatriya vamsa. Hence the real KILLER… Guess what thats what our Fletcher is! He comes around with the gun [modern upgrade for axe] and kills everyone around. I have to check if he kills 21 people though.
7. Narasimha avatar - Shingen Narahasi
First of all the name itself is a play on the words singam [means lion in tamil] and narasimha [the avatar being symbolised]. Lord Narasimha manifests himelf to kill the bad guy and he also teaches prahaladha. In the movie, he shows up to kill the killer fletcher! and is also a teacher.. Lord Narasimha had to kill the asura with bare hands and hence the martial arts exponent here.. get it?
8. Rama avatar - Avatar Singh
Lord Rama stands for the one man one woman maxim, kind of symbolising true love.. Here Avatar portrays that spirit by saying that he loves his woman more than anything and wants to live for her.
9. Kalki avatar - Govind Ramasamy
As you know, the hero in kaliyug can be none other than the Kalki avatar!!!
10. Koorma avatar - George Bush
This is the most loose adaptation I couldn’t clearly comprehend. But if you look at the real koorma avatar, the lord is the turtle/tortoise that helps in stirring the ksheera sagara and bringing out the amruth. This essentially creates war among the devas and asuras. Similarly today Bush facilitates war between you know whom… May be Kamal also indicates that this avatar is a bit dumb like the tortoise.
June 25, 2008
How many of you thought on these lines, but the below post makes a lot of sense about the film Dasavatharam. There are many discussions on the film happening here – about Chaos Theory, Butterfly Effect, God, Religion etc. .One thing we had noticed is why people didnt get the real subtext and reason for the various roles and hence the title.If you knew the real dasavatharams of Lord Vishnu and their characters you can appreciate the script more. Let me explain, starting with the best adapted role:
1. Krishna avatar - Vincent Poovaragan
Lord krishna is actually a dalit, he is dark-skinned [shyamalam]. He saved draupadi when she was being violated and he was the actual diplomat in mahabharatham. Lord krishna dies of an arrow striking his lower leg. Now look at how vincent was introduced.. he appears when asin is about to be molested and he saves her like draupadi. Vincent is the dalit diplomat, fights for land issue [soil issue to be exact] and dies from the metal rod striking his leg. Oh even five of vincent’s men are drugged at P. Vasu’s.. sounds familiar.
2. Balarama avatar - Balaram naidu
This is an easy given. as the name suggests and the role personifies you can easily get it.
3. Mathsya avatar - Rangaraja nambi
Nambi is thrown into water in an act of trying to save lord from being thrown into sea, though vainly. what more clue do you want?
4. Varaha avatar - Krishnaveni paatti
During the mukunda song, krishnaveni paatti does varaha avatar in the shadow puppetry. The frame freezes on it for a second. there is the clue. Moreover, in varaha avatar lord actually hides earth so as to protect life forms. Here too krishnaveni hides the germs - life form inside the statue so as to protect.
5. Vamana avatar - Kalifullah Khan
Remember in vamana avatar, lord vishnu takes the vishvaroopa, that is the giant form! Hence the giant kalifulla here symbolises vamana avatar.
6. Parasurama avatar - Christian Fletzer
Parasurama is actually on an angry killing spree and killed 21 generations of the particular kshatriya vamsa. Hence the real KILLER… Guess what thats what our Fletcher is! He comes around with the gun [modern upgrade for axe] and kills everyone around. I have to check if he kills 21 people though.
7. Narasimha avatar - Shingen Narahasi
First of all the name itself is a play on the words singam [means lion in tamil] and narasimha [the avatar being symbolised]. Lord Narasimha manifests himelf to kill the bad guy and he also teaches prahaladha. In the movie, he shows up to kill the killer fletcher! and is also a teacher.. Lord Narasimha had to kill the asura with bare hands and hence the martial arts exponent here.. get it?
8. Rama avatar - Avatar Singh
Lord Rama stands for the one man one woman maxim, kind of symbolising true love.. Here Avatar portrays that spirit by saying that he loves his woman more than anything and wants to live for her.
9. Kalki avatar - Govind Ramasamy
As you know, the hero in kaliyug can be none other than the Kalki avatar!!!
10. Koorma avatar - George Bush
This is the most loose adaptation I couldn’t clearly comprehend. But if you look at the real koorma avatar, the lord is the turtle/tortoise that helps in stirring the ksheera sagara and bringing out the amruth. This essentially creates war among the devas and asuras. Similarly today Bush facilitates war between you know whom… May be Kamal also indicates that this avatar is a bit dumb like the tortoise.
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