Kamal Haasan is an Indian actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, playback singer, television presenter, social activist and politician who works mainly in Tamil cinema. Besides Tamil, he has also appeared in some Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali films. Considered as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema, Haasan is also known for introducing many new film technologies and film making techniques to the Indian film industry. He has won numerous accolades, including Four National Film Awards, Nine Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Four Nandi Awards, One Rashtrapati Award, Two Filmfare Awards and 17 Filmfare Awards South. He was awarded the Kalaimamani Award in 1984, the Padma Shri in 1990, the Padma Bhushan in 2014 and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier) in 2016.
Kailasam Balachandar was an Indian filmmaker and playwright who worked mainly in the Tamil cinema. He was well known for his distinct film-making style, and the Indian film industry knew him as a master of unconventional themes and hard-hitting contemporary subject matter. Balachander's films are well known for their portrayal of women as bold personalities and central characters. Popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Sigaram, his films are usually centred on unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He started his film career in 1964 as a screenwriter and graduated to a director with Neerkumizhi (1965).
Alda Sinha, better known by her stage name Mala Sinha, is a former Indian actress who has worked in Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films. Initially starting her career with regional cinema, she went on to become a top leading actress in Hindi Cinema in the late 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. In a career spanning four decades, Mala Sinha rose to prominence with films like Guru Dutt's Pyaasa (1957) and Yash Chopra's Dhool Ka Phool (1959). Later, she starred in over hundred film productions including Phir Subah Hogi (1958), Hariyali Aur Rasta, Anpadh, Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Gumrah, Bahurani, Himalay Ki God Mein (1965), Aasra (1966), Ankhen, Do Kaliyan, Maryada (1971). She was known as the "daring diva" and "torch bearer of women's cinema" for essaying strong female centric and unconventional roles in a range of movies considered ahead of their times. Having received multiple awards and nominations, she was given the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Shankar Shanmugam, credited as S. Shankar or his mononymShankar, is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works predominantly in Tamil cinema. He is one of the highest grossing film directors in Indian cinema. His films typically deal with the contemporary social issues, vigilante themes and the usage of state of the art technology and VFX. He has won one National Film Award, four Filmfare Award South and six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards in his career.
Anbe Sivam is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language slice-of-life drama film directed by Sundar C. and produced by K. Muralitharan, V. Swaminathan and G. Venugopal under the banner of Lakshmi Movie Makers. The film was written by Kamal Haasan, and Madhan provided the dialogues. Anbe Sivam stars Haasan, Madhavan and Kiran Rathod, with Nassar, Santhana Bharathi, Seema and Uma Riyaz Khan playing supporting characters. The film tells the story of Nallasivam and Anbarasu, two men of contrasting personalities who undertake an unexpected journey from Bhubaneswar to Chennai.
Nagesh (born Cheyur Krishnarao Nageshwaran; was an Indian actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian in Tamil films during the 1960s. Nagesh was born in Dharapuram. He acted in over 1,000 films from 1958 to 2008, performing in a variety of roles as comedian, lead roles, supporting actor and antagonist. He has also acted in Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and Kannada films. Nagesh's style of comedy was largely inspired by Hollywood actor Jerry Lewis. Similarities between Nagesh and Lewis earned Nagesh the sobriquet the "Jerry Lewis of India". He was also nicknamed as the King of Comedy due to his impeccable comedy timing and body language. He featured regularly in the film projects of M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan even at a time when there was a massive rift between the two leading actors in Tamil cinema at that time.
Kuruthipunal is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed and filmed by P. C. Sreeram, and co-produced and written by Kamal Haasan. The film, which stars Haasan, Arjun, Nassar, Gautami and Geetha, is a remake of the Hindi film Drohkaal (1994), and revolves around two police officers seeking to curb a terrorist group.
K. S. Ravikumar is an Indian film director, film producer, screenwriter and actor, primarily working in Tamil cinema.
Anthuleni Katha is a 1976 Indian Telugu-language film directed by K. Balachander, starring Jaya Prada, with Fatafat Jayalaxmi, Rajinikanth and Sripriya in supporting roles. Kamal Haasan played a cameo.
Meendum Kokila is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by G. N. Rangarajan from a screenplay written by Ananthu and story by Haasan Brothers. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. Deepa, M. Krishnamoorthy, Thengai Srinivasan and Omakuchi Narasimhan are featured in supporting roles. The narrative follows a young woman who fights to win back her husband after his infatuation with an actress.
Manmatha Leelai is a 1976 Indian Tamil-language romantic sex comedy film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Aalam. A number of actresses debuted on Tamil industry through this film, including Hema Chaudhary, Jaya Prada, Y. Vijaya among others. It was released on 27 February 1976. Though the film was criticised for its bold content when it released, it has received cult status with passing years and is considered a trendsetter.
Lalitha is a 1976 Indian Tamil-language drama film, written and directed by Valampuri Somanathan. Starring Sujatha in the title role, the film has Gemini Ganesan and Kamal Haasan and Sumithra playing other pivotal roles. It is a remake of the Bengali film Saat Pake Bandha (1963). The film was released on 10 December 1976.
Uyarnthavargal is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by T. N. Balu, starring Kamal Haasan and Sujatha. The film deals with a deaf-mute couple and their struggle in society. It is a remake of the 1972 Hindi film Koshish.
Kamal Haasan is an Indian actor, screenwriter, film director, film producer, and dance choreographer who works primarily in Tamil cinema. At the age of 5, he debuted as a child actor in the 1960 Tamil film Kalathur Kannamma, directed by A. Bhimsingh, which won him the President's Gold Medal. Since then, he has acted in over 230 films in Tamil and other languages including Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Bengali. After a few projects as a child artist, he took a break to continue his education. He later concentrated on dance choreography and worked as an assistant choreographer. During this time, he made uncredited appearances in a few films which he worked on.
Unnaipol Oruvan is a 2009 Indian action thriller film directed by Chakri Toleti in his directorial debut. It stars Mohanlal and Kamal Hassan. The film was simultaneously made in Telugu as Eenadu (transl. Today) with Venkatesh playing Mohanlal's role, both remakes of the 2008 Hindi film A Wednesday!. Set in Chennai and Hyderabad in the Tamil and Telugu versions respectively, the film depicts the confrontation between an anonymous caller who has planted bombs in the city and wants four terrorists to be released, and a police commissioner who tries to hunt him down.
Aval Oru Thodar Kathai is a 1974 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. The lead role was played by Sujatha in her first Tamil film, which was also her first starring role. Kamal Haasan, Vijayakumar, Jai Ganesh, M. G. Soman and Sripriya play key roles. The story revolves around a working middle-class woman, who sacrifices her desires to support her large family
Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi is a 1979 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. Kamal Haasan plays a double role as an honest doctor and a happy-go-lucky youth. He was paired with Jayasudha and Roja Ramani. Prabhakar Reddy, Sarathi, Pandari Bai, Kanta Rao, Ramaprabha and C. S. Rao play supporting roles. This was the first film of Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and Kamal Haasan together.
Guru (transl. Teacher) is a 1980 Indian action adventure film directed by I. V. Sasi. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, while M. N. Nambiar, Muthuraman and Mohan Babu play supporting roles. It revolves around a philanthropist who masquerades as a vigilante.
Papanasam is a 2015 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film directed by Jeethu Joseph, a remake of his 2013 Malayalam film Drishyam, which starred Mohanlal. The film was jointly produced by Suresh Balaje and Rajkumar Sethupathi. It stars Kamal Haasan and Gautami, with Esther Anil, Asha Sarath and Roshan Basheer reprising their roles from the original film. Kalabhavan Mani, Nivetha Thomas and M. S. Bhaskar appear in supporting roles.
The following is a list of unproduced Kamal Haasan projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, Indian film actor-director Kamal Haasan has worked on a number of projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his acting commitments or direction. Some of these projects fell into development hell or were officially cancelled.
