Kamal Haasan [1] (Tamil: கமல்ஹாசன்) (born on November 7, 1954, Mother Tongue - Tamil) is a four time (1960, 1983, 1988 and 1997) National Film Award winning Indian film actor. He began his career as a child artist in many films, while also attending a theatre for stage plays. Kamal Haasan has acted in over two hundred Indian films.
Kamal Hassan has received India's fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri for his services to Indian cinema in 1990. His popular films include Moondram Pirai (1982), Saagara Sangamam (1983), Nayagan (1987), Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), Indian (1996), Hey Ram (2000), Anbe Sivam (2003). In his currently unreleased film Dasavatharam, he attempts to portray ten different characters.
Biography
Kamal is the youngest of four children born to Rajalakshmi and Srinivasan Iyengar. His Mother Tongue is Tamil.[2] His father, an attorney, gave all his sons (Charu Haasan , Chandra Haasan , Kamal Haasan ) the last name of "Haasan" as a sign of his friendship to Mr. Haasan.[citation needed] Kamal was introduced to dance by his (elder) sister.
He is also a self professed atheist and follower of E. V. Ramasami Naicker. Kamal says that he saw no reason to believe in gods since the age of 11 years when many questions about supernatural popped up in his head. [3] He said religion is the root of many atrocities. That many including, the current US President, George Bush, takes its name for his (negative) actions. Kamal said his meditation is sleeping/rest (Ilayaraja tried to teach him meditation.)
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.[citation needed] He also won the national award for Best Child Actor for his performance in Kalathur Kannamma.[citation needed] 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.[10] Seven of his movies have been sent as India's official entry to the Oscars. Kamal has won the Filmfare awards 18 times.[citation needed]
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.[6]
Kamal was also conferred with a unique honour this year(2007) as "Living Legend" in the film business by FICCI,India.[7]
The all awards presented to him were 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
