Kamal Haasan Age, Wiki, Wife, Family, Career, Net Worth

Kamal Haasan is a legendary Indian actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, playback singer, and politician, mainly known for his work in Tamil cinema. 

He was born on 7 November 1954 in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, and he is 71 years old.

One of India’s most versatile stars, with work across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films. 

He made his screen debut as a child artist in Kalathur Kannamma in 1960, a role that brought him early national recognition. 

Kamal Haasan is also active in politics and has served as a Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu since 25 July 2025. 

Quick Facts: Kamal Haasan

Full Name	Kamal Haasan
Profession	Actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, playback singer, and politician
Age	71 years old
Date of Birth	7 November 1954
Nationality	Indian
Zodiac/Sun Sign	Scorpio
Birthplace	Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, India
Current Address	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Gender	Male

Kamal Haasan Early Life and Education

Kamal Haasan was born as Parthasarathy Srinivasan on 7 November 1954 in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu. 

He grew up in a family that encouraged art, cinema and independent thinking. 

Kamal Haasan entered the cinema at a very young age.

Education

Kamal Haasan began his schooling in his hometown of Paramakudi before his family later relocated to Madras, now known as Chennai. He continued his studies across schools in Triplicane and Santhome, two localities within the city.

He attended Sir M. Ct. Muthiah Chettiar Boys Higher Secondary School and later Hindu Higher Secondary School, both in Chennai. It was during these school years in the city that his passion for performance, dance, and cinema began to grow more seriously alongside his academic life.

Kamal Haasan did not pursue a university degree. His formal education ended at the secondary school level, after which his focus shifted entirely to cinema.

School	Sir M. Ct. Muthiah Chettiar Boys Higher Secondary School, Chennai; Hindu Higher Secondary School, Chennai
Alma Mater	Yet to be updated
Highest Qualification	Secondary School

Kamal Haasan Personal Life

Kamal Haasan’s personal life has often been discussed in public because of his long career and famous film family. 

Wife

Kamal Haasan first married classical dancer Vani Ganapathy in 1978. The two had reportedly met through a common friend and built a relationship before tying the knot. 

However, the marriage did not last, and they separated in 1988, with the divorce finalised that same year. Both parties chose to remain largely silent about the reasons for the split in the years that followed.

Following his separation from Vani, Kamal married actress Sarika Thakur. The two had been living together before the marriage and wed following the birth of their first daughter. Their marriage lasted until 2004, when the couple officially divorced.

After the divorce, Kamal entered a long-term live-in relationship with actress Gautami Tadimalla, which lasted from approximately 2005 to 2016. The two were never married. Their separation was confirmed publicly by Gautami herself through a blog post and social media.

Children

Kamal Haasan has two daughters, both born from his relationship and marriage with Sarika Thakur.

Shruti Haasan, born on January 28, 1986, is an actress and playback singer who works predominantly in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films. She has built a successful independent career in the Indian film industry and is also well known as a musician and performer in her own right.

Akshara Haasan, born on October 12, 1991, is an actress who has appeared in Tamil and Hindi films. She made her film debut with the Hindi film Shamitabh in 2015 and later appeared in Kadaram Kondan in 2019. She has also worked as an assistant director and continues to be active in the industry.

Father

D. Srinivasan was a criminal lawyer and Indian freedom fighter based in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu. He was a man of strong intellectual and cultural values who actively encouraged his children to explore the arts and think freely. He played a direct role in shaping Kamal Haasan’s early interest in cinema and performance.

Mother

Rajalakshmi was a homemaker who nurtured Kamal’s creative instincts from an early age. She is credited alongside her husband for raising a family that produced some of Tamil Nadu’s most well-known figures in law, cinema, and classical arts. More details about her personal life are yet to be updated.

Siblings

Charuhasan (born January 5, 1931) is Kamal’s eldest brother and is a National Award-winning actor and filmmaker. He is widely known in South Indian cinema and is also the father of acclaimed filmmaker and actress Suhasini Maniratnam. He initially studied law before turning to acting.

Chandrahasan (born March 6, 1936, died March 18, 2017) was Kamal’s second elder brother and a noted Tamil film producer. He was closely involved in managing Kamal’s production house, Raaj Kamal Films International, during the 2000s. He passed away at the age of 81 due to cardiac arrest.

Nalini is Kamal’s younger sister and a trained classical dancer. She has largely maintained a private life away from the public eye.

Relationship Status	Divorced
Wife	Former wives: Vani Ganapathy and Sarika. Former partner: Gautami Tadimalla
Children	Daughters: Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan
Parents	Father: D. Srinivasan Mother: Rajalakshmi Srinivasan
Siblings	Brother: Charuhasan Brother: Chandrahasan Sister: Nalini Raghu

Kamal Haasan Career

Kamal Haasan has built one of the longest and most respected careers in Indian cinema. He is known as an actor, writer, filmmaker and politician, with appearances in more than 230 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi cinema.

Child Artist Years (1960 to 1971)

Kamal Haasan made his film debut as a six-year-old child artist in the film Kalathur Kannamma, released in 1960 and directed by A. Bhimsingh. He was cast alongside Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan.

He acted as a child actor in five other Tamil films in the subsequent few years, co-starring with Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran. These early films included Parthal Pasi Theerum, Paadha Kaanikkai, Kannum Karalum, Vanambadi, and Anandha Jodhi. He also made a special appearance in Maanavan (1970) and a cameo in Annai Velankanni (1971).

Supporting Roles and Return to Cinema (1972 to 1974)

Kamal Haasan returned with a series of low-budget films in 1972, in all of which he played supporting roles. 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.

In 1973, Kamal Haasan got his first adult role in a film by K. Balachander, who he considers his mentor. He also appeared in Kanyakumari (1974) in Malayalam.

Breakthrough as Lead Actor (1975 to 1980)

His breakthrough as a lead actor came in the 1975 drama Apoorva Raagangal, directed by K. Balachander, in which he played a rebellious youth who falls in love with an older woman.

He quickly became one of the most in-demand actors in Tamil and Telugu cinema, delivering a series of commercially successful films across both industries throughout the latter half of the 1970s.

Hindi Debut and Production Beginnings (1981 to 1982)

Haasan gained success with his Hindi film debut Ek Duuje Ke Liye in 1981, directed by K. Balachander.

In 1981, Kamal Haasan started producing films with Raja Paarvai, where he played a blind musician. His production company, which began as Hasan Brothers, later became Raaj Kamal Films International. He also wrote his first script at age 18 for the film Unarchigal (1976), establishing his identity as a writer alongside his acting.

That same year, he won his first National Film Award for Best Actor for Moondram Pirai (1982), in which he played a gentle school teacher caring for a woman with retrograde amnesia.

Dominating Tamil and Telugu Cinema (1983 to 1989)

By the 1980s, Kamal Haasan had established himself as one of Tamil cinema’s two dominant male stars, the other being Rajinikanth. He became known for his versatility, playing a classical dancer in Sagara Sangamam (1983), a crime boss in the Mani Ratnam-directed Nayakan (1987), and an unemployed youth in the silent film Pushpaka Vimana (1987).

The year 1986 saw Kamal giving back-to-back Telugu superhit films like Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu and Swati Mutyam. He also appeared in the wordless dark comedy Pushpaka Vimana (1987) and played twins, one of whom is a dwarf, in Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989).

Record-Breaking Films and Pan-India Stardom (1990 to 1999)

Kamal continued his top form with films like Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), Gunaa (1991), Singaravelan (1992), and Thevar Magan (1992), which was later remade in Hindi as Virasat (1997).

Thevar Magan is a 1992 Tamil drama film produced, written, and starring Kamal Haasan. It was a blockbuster among the 1992 Deepavali releases and completed a 175-day run at the box office. The film was also screened at the Toronto Film Festival in 1994.

He won a third National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the dual roles of a former freedom fighter and his son in Indian (1996). That same year, he starred in Avvai Shanmugi (1996), a Tamil adaptation of Mrs Doubtfire (1993), in which he played a divorced father who disguises himself as a female housekeeper. Haasan also starred in the Hindi version, Chachi 420 (1997).

Direction Debut and 2000s Projects (2000 to 2009)

Kamal Haasan made his directorial debut with Hey Ram (2000), a historical drama he also wrote, produced, and starred in, alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Hema Malini, and Rani Mukerji. The film was India’s official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

He followed this with Virumaandi (2004), which he also directed, and Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2006), a crime thriller directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. In 2008, he starred in the science-fiction thriller Dasavatharam, in which he played ten roles alongside Asin Thottumkal, winning the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor.

Vishwaroopam Era and Television Hosting (2013 to 2016)

Notable films from the 2010s include the spy film Vishwaroopam (2013) and its sequel Vishwaroopam II (2018), and the comedy drama Uttama Villain (2015), where Andrea Jeremiah played the character Dr Arpana alongside him. Vishwaroopam, which Kamal directed, wrote, and produced, faced significant controversy during its release due to objections from certain community groups, but went on to perform well commercially and critically.

In 2017, Haasan began hosting the popular reality television show Bigg Boss Tamil. The show became a huge hit in Tamil Nadu. He has hosted most of the seasons, becoming a familiar face on television for millions of viewers.

Political Entry and Return to Cinema (2018 to 2021)

Haasan launched the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), meaning People’s Justice Centre, in February 2018. He contested the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections from Coimbatore South but did not win the seat.

He remained active in film production during this period, producing Kadaram Kondan (2019) under Raaj Kamal Films International, and was also involved in playback singing and narration for several projects.

Blockbuster Comeback and Recent Work (2022 to 2025)

Vikram was released on 3 June 2022 and was a huge commercial success, grossing approximately 423.8 crore rupees, going on to become the second-highest-grossing Tamil film of the year and the third-highest-grossing Tamil film of all time at that point. The film, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, also starred Vijay Sethupathi, Gayathrie Shankar and Fahadh Faasil.

In 2024, he appeared in a supporting role in the sci-fi dystopian drama Kalki 2898 AD, alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, Mrunal Thakur, and Deepika Padukone. The film became one of the highest-grossing Indian films worldwide with earnings of 1,042 crore rupees (approximately $124 million). He also starred in Indian 2 in 2024 as Senapathy alongside Priya Bhavani Shankar, the sequel to his 1996 blockbuster Indian.

In 2025 he reunited with director Mani Ratnam for Thug Life, which was released on June 5, 2025. The film features Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Nassar, with music by A. R. Rahman. It marks the reunion of Haasan and Ratnam after their previous collaboration, Nayakan, in 1987.

Entry into Parliament (2025)

Kamal Haasan was elected as a Member of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha on 25 July 2025, representing Tamil Nadu, and simultaneously assumed the position of Parliamentary Chairperson of Makkal Needhi Maiam. This made him one of the rare figures in Indian public life to hold simultaneous prominence in cinema, television, and national-level politics.

Raaj Kamal Films International and Multi-Role Contributions

Beyond acting, Kamal Haasan has written the screenplays for several of his most acclaimed films, including Thevar Magan (1992), Virumaandi (2004), Vishwaroopam (2013), and Vikram (2022). He also worked as a choreographer while transitioning from a child artist to a lead actor, and has an avid interest in every aspect of filmmaking, including direction, writing, and choreography.

He has also been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2025, which is a significant international honour for filmmakers. He was additionally appointed a United Nations Ambassador in 2007 for its joint campaign with the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society.

Kamal Haasan Awards and Achievements

Kamal Haasan is one of the most decorated actors in the history of Indian cinema. Across a career spanning over six decades, he has received four National Film Awards, 21 Filmfare Awards, 11 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, five Nandi Awards, and several prestigious civilian honours from both India and France.

Childhood Recognition (1961)

At just six years of age, Kamal Haasan won the President’s Gold Medal for Best Child Artist for his debut film Kalathur Kannamma (1960). This remains one of the earliest and most remarkable recognitions in Indian film history for a child performer.

National Film Awards

Kamal Haasan has won four National Film Awards across different phases of his career, making him one of India’s most consistently honoured actors at the national level.

• 1983 — National Film Award for Best Actor for Moondram Pirai (1982), in which he played a gentle school teacher who cares for a woman suffering from retrograde amnesia.
• 1987 — National Film Award for Best Actor for Nayakan (1987), directed by Mani Ratnam, a performance widely considered one of the greatest in Tamil cinema history.
• 1992 — National Film Award for Best Actor for Thevar Magan (1992), a film he also wrote and produced.
• 2000 — National Film Award (Special Jury recognition) associated with Hey Ram (2000), which he directed and starred in, winning awards for special effects, production design, and costumes.

Filmfare Awards

Kamal Haasan holds the record for the most Filmfare Awards for Best Actor with 18 wins across five different languages, including 11 in Tamil, three in Telugu, two in Malayalam, one in Hindi, and one in Kannada. He has received a total of 21 Filmfare Awards and has been nominated 64 times, both records for any actor. He voluntarily withdrew himself from Filmfare consideration after winning for Hey Ram (2000), writing to the association requesting that future awards be given to younger talents.

State and Regional Awards

• He has won nine Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and four Nandi Awards, the latter being the prestigious state award of Andhra Pradesh for Telugu cinema.
• He received the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1984, one of the state’s highest cultural honours.

Civilian and International Honours

• 1990 — Awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contributions to Indian cinema.
• 2014 — Awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• 2016 — Awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier) by the Government of France, one of France’s highest cultural distinctions, for his contribution to advancing cinematic excellence internationally.

Lifetime and Special Achievement Honours

• 2013 — Received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Mumbai International Film Festival.
• He was honoured with the S.S. Vasan Award for Lifetime Achievement by Ananda Vikatan, one of Tamil Nadu’s most respected publications.
• He received the Bengal Film Journalists Association Award for Most Outstanding Work of the Year for Hey Ram (2000).

Industry Milestones and Records

• With seven submissions, Kamal Haasan has starred in the highest number of films submitted by India for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
• He is the only Indian actor to have won Filmfare Awards across five different languages in a single acting career.
• He is widely credited as a pioneer for introducing prosthetic makeup, computer-assisted visuals, and advanced production techniques to Tamil and Indian cinema.
• His 2022 film Vikram earned him his 18th Filmfare Award for Best Actor in Tamil, further extending his own industry record.

International Recognition & Special Feats

• Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2016): Conferred by the Government of France to honour his profound artistic contributions globally.
• The Oscars King: A total of seven films starring Kamal Haasan have been chosen as India’s official entries to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, the highest number for any Indian actor.
• Global Festival Honours: His film Virumaandi clinched the inaugural Best Asian Film Award at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) in 2004.
• Honorary Doctorates: Conferred two honorary doctorates, first by Sathyabama University (2005) and later by Centurion University (2019).

Kamal Haasan Controversies

Kamal Haasan has faced a few public controversies during his long film and political career. 

Vishwaroopam Release Controversy

In 2013, Kamal Haasan’s film Vishwaroopam faced protests from some Muslim organisations over the alleged depiction of the community. The Tamil Nadu government stopped the film’s screening for a period, citing law and order concerns. The matter became a major debate around cinema, censorship and freedom of expression.

The issue was later settled after discussions, and Kamal Haasan agreed to changes in some scenes before the film’s release in Tamil Nadu.

Nathuram Godse’s Remark Controversy

In 2019, Kamal Haasan faced criticism after making a political speech referring to Nathuram Godse while speaking about extremism. The remark led to complaints and strong reactions from political groups.

The Madras High Court later granted him anticipatory bail in the case. Bar and Bench reported that the court also observed that criminals should not be linked with religion, caste or race.

Mahabharata Comment Case

Kamal Haasan also faced a criminal case over comments made during a 2017 interview about violence against women and a reference to the Mahabharata. In 2021, the Madras High Court quashed the case, saying criticism is part of a free society and that the remarks did not amount to an offence under the sections invoked.

Bigg Boss Tamil Controversy

In 2017, Kamal Haasan’s television debut as host of Bigg Boss Tamil  became controversial after Hindu Makkal Katchi demanded a ban on the show and action against him. Kamal Haasan responded that he did not believe the show was damaging Tamil culture.

Thug Life Kannada Language Controversy

In 2025, Kamal Haasan faced criticism in Karnataka after his comment during the Thug Life audio launch about the relationship between Tamil and Kannada languages. Pro-Kannada groups, politicians and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce demanded an apology and opposed the film’s release in Karnataka.

His production house moved the Karnataka High Court seeking protection for the film’s release. Later, the Supreme Court said the film should be allowed to be screened, and that mob pressure could not take over the rule of law.

Kamal Haasan Net Worth

Net Worth in Dollars Approx	$50 million to $70 million
Salary Approx	₹100 crore and ₹150

Kamal Haasan Height, Weight and Physical Stats

Height	In centimetres: 170 cm In meters: 1.7 m In feet & inches: 5’ 7”
Weight	In kg: 70 kg In lbs: 154 lbs
Body Measurements	40-34-14
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Black

Kamal Haasan Social Media

Instagram	@ikamalhaasan
X	@ikamalhaasan
Facebook	@iKamalHaasan
YouTube	@maiamtheatre

Interesting Facts about Kamal Haasan

• He is the only Indian actor to have starred in seven official Oscar submissions from India, including Hey Ram, Indian, Kuruthipunal, Thevar Magan, Nayakan, Saagar, and Swati Muthyam.
• He worked as a makeup artist on the Hollywood film Rambo III, applying prosthetic bruises and wounds on Sylvester Stallone’s face after spending over a month training under Oscar-winning makeup artist Michael Westmore.
• He also worked as an assistant to Michael Westmore on the Hollywood production Star Trek, spending approximately forty days on set learning prosthetic makeup techniques.
• He has trained in the classical dance forms of Bharatanatyam and Kathak, and is also a student of Carnatic music, having studied under musical maestro Dr Balamuralikrishna.
• After winning his final Filmfare Award for Hey Ram in 2000, he wrote a letter to the Filmfare Association requesting that they stop awarding him and instead give recognition to younger talents, and the association accepted his request.
• He is also a published author and photography enthusiast who has written several books, including a novel, alongside his work in cinema.
• In 2025, he was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a member of its actors’ branch, making him one of a very small number of Indian film personalities to receive this honour.

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