One of the most versatile artists in the Indian film industry, Kamal Haasan is an actor, writer, director, producer, choreographer, lyricist, dancer and playback singer. Originally named Parthasarathy, the actor is referred as the 'first and probably the last complete actor' in India by the critics. From being the first Indian actor to win three National Awards to star in the maximum number of movies (as of 2016) that have been India's nomination at the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film, the actor has accomplished many feats that no other actor has in the history of Indian cinema. Apart from acting, Kamal Haasan is an accomplished director and is known for his unique style of filmmaking. He also owns a production company and he has produced several movies that he as acted in or has directed under the banner, Rajkamal International.
The actor got his breakthrough as a lead actor in the 1975 super-hit film, Apoorva Raagangal where he played the role of a rebellious youth, who falls in love with an older woman. The movie directed by K. Balachander also featured Rajinikanth and it was the first time the duo shared screen space together before eventually going on to do many films together in the subsequent years. The actor's portrayal of a guileless school teacher who cares for an amnesiac young woman in Moondram Pirai won him critical acclaim and it also won him his first National Award for Best Actor. Apart from his film career, the actor spends a lot of time indulging in various philanthropic activities.
EARLY LIFE
Kamal Haasan was born in a typical Tamil-Brahmin Iyengar family in Ramanathapuram district. His father, D Srinivasan worked as a criminal lawyer and his mother Rajalakshmi was a housewife. The actor is the youngest of the four siblings, his two elder brothers, Charuhasan and Chandrahasan are both lawyers and his sister Nalini is a classical dancer. The star actor completed his primary education is his hometown, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram district, before eventually moving to Madras (now Chennai) to pursue higher education. While attending college, the actor was interested in films and fine arts and his father encouraged him to pursue a career of his choice.
PERSONAL LIFE
Kamal Haasan married dancer Vani Ganapathy when he was 24 years old and after being together 10 the couple divorced in 1988. After breaking the marital knot with his wife, Kamal Haasan began living together with actor Sarika Thakur and the duo married after the birth of their first child, Shruti Haasan, who works as an actor and singer in Tollywood, Kollywood, and Bollywood. The couple's younger daughter, Akshara Haasan, works as an assistant director. The actor's second marriage did not last either. The duo filed for divorce in 2002, which was granted in 2004. It is speculated that Haasan's relationship with actress Simran Bagga, who was his co-star in Pammal K. Sambandam and Panchathantiram, was the reason that triggered his break-up with Sarika Thakur.