The great Kamal Haasan journey completes another year. As we celebrate the legend who has constructed many a monument in cinema, we retrace his footsteps in seven phases. From the child, to the aspiring actor, the star, the genius, the Legend, the man who made Dasavatharam and what is still to come. Let us relive Universal Star.
Nearly 50 years after he first came on screen, the hunger and passion don’t seem to have diminished one bit. He still wants to go higher and get better. Marmayogi awaits all those who are overawed by the monument of achievements that this man has created and then there is every Kamal fan’s perpetual dream, Marudhanayagam. May the dream come true.
2008 - 2000
Dasavatharam (2008), Vettayadu Vilayadu (2006) Mumbai Express (2005) Virumandi (2004) Vasoolraja M.B.B.S (2004) Anbe Sivam (2003) Nala Damayanthi (2003) Pammal K. Sambandam (2002) Panchatanthiram (2002) Aalavandhan (2001) Paarthale Paravasam (2001)Thenali (2000) Hey Ram (2000)
The 8 years of the 21st century have had some very special moments. Yes there have been the debacles, but who cares when you have movies like Anbe Sivam, Virumandi, Vettayadu Vilaiyadu and a piece of cinema history in Dasavatharam. We all thought that we had seen the best of Kamal, but he has surprised us once again and sent a message across that he has a lot more to offer. He may have cut down on the number of movies but his pursuit of excellence just got more intense.
1999 - 1990
Chachi 420 (1998) Avvai Shanmugi (1996) Indian (1996) Kuruthipunal (1996) Nammavar (1995) Sathi Leelavathi (1995) Subha Sankalpam (1995) Duet (1994) Ladies Only (1994) Magalir Mattum (1994) Kalaignan (1993)Mahanadi (1993) Maharasan (1993) Guna (1992) Singaaravelan (1992) Thevar Magan (1992) Michael Madana Kamarajan (1991)
The 90s, and Kamal started to get really selective, not that he was not selective before. Movies like Michael Madan Kamarajan, Mahandai, Guna and Thevar Magan made his intentions very clear, he wanted to explore new terrain. But there was the occasional potboiler or rib tickler like Indian and Sathi Leelavathi and we thoroughly enjoyed them. And how can we forget Avvai Shanmugi or the grim cops’ tale Kuruthippunal. Infinite variety.
1989 - 1985
Apoorva Sahodarargal (1989) Chanakyan (1989) Daisy (1988) Pesum Padam (1988) Soora Samhaaram (1988) Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988) Kaadhal Parisu (1987) Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (1987) Nayakan (1987) Per Sollum Pillai (1987) Vetri Vizha (1987) Vrutham (1987) December Pookkal (1986) Naanum Oru Thozhilaali (1986) Punnagai Mannan (1986) Vikram (1986) Andha Oru Nimidam (1985) Geraftaar (1985)Kaakki Sattai (1985) Mangamma Sabatham (1985) Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (1985) Saagar (1985) Swathi Muthyam (1985)
The second half of the prolific 80s. This was when Kamal really grew into his full stature. Yes, most of the movies were commercial hero-driven entertainers and Kamal was the pin-up boy of Tamil cinema. But there were the unique and fantastic movies that only Kamal could have done, starting with the incomparable Nayagan, the still unparalleled Pesum Padam and the magnificent Apoorva Sahodarargal. Kamal had arrived at the national stage.
1984 - 1980
Ek Nai Paheli (1984) Enakkul Oruvan (1984) Jappanil Kalyanaraman (1984) Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1984) Raaj Tilak (1984) Yaadgaar (1984) Yeh Desh (1984) Moondram Pirai (1983) Poikkal Kuthirai (1983) Sadma (1983) Sagara Sangamam (1983) Thoongathey Tambi Thoongathey (1983) Zara Si Zindagi (1983) Salangai Oli (1983) Afsana Do Dilon Ka (1982) Agni Sakshi (1982) Dil Ka Sathi Dil (1982) Pyara Tarana (1982) Raniththeni (1982) Sakala Kala Vallavan (1982) Sanam Teri Kasam (1982) Simla Special (1982) Vazhve Mayam (1982) Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya (1982) Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)Aakali Rajyam (1981) Do Dil Diwane (1981) Ellaam Inbamayam (1981) Kadal Meengal (1981) Meendum Kokila (1981) Raaja Paarvai (1981)Rama Lakshman (1981) Savaal (1981) Shankarlal (1981) Tik Tik Tik (1981) Guru (1980) Maria My Darling (1980) Natchatiram (1980) Ullasa Paravaigal (1980) Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980)
Kamal the young actor had become Kamal the star and movies were flowing thick and fast. In the most busy phase of his career Kamal churned out box office hit one after another but still managed to be part of some ‘one of its kind movies’ like Ek Duje Ke Liye, Moondram Pirai and Vaazhve Mayam. The Bollywood offers were coming like never before. The making of the legend had begun.
1979 - 1976
Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum (1979)Azhiyatha Kolangal (1979) Idi Kathakaadu (1979) Kalyanaraman (1979) Neela Malargal (1979) Neeya (1979) Ninaithale Inikkum (1979) Sigappukkal Mookuthi (1979) Thai Illamal Naan Illai (1979) Yerra Gulabi (1979) Aval Appadithaan (1978)Chattam En Kaiyil (1978) Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (1978) Madanolsavam (1978)Maro Charithra (1978) Nizhal Nijamakirathu (1978) Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) Thappitha Thala (1978) Aadu Puli Atham (1977) Aaina (1977) Avargal (1977) Meethi Meethi Baatein (1977) Pathinaru Vayathinile (1977) Uyarnthavargal (1977) Anthuleni Katha (1976) Idaya Malar (1976) Lalitha (1976) Manmatha Leelai (1976) Moondru Mudichu (1976)
Kamal’s first shots at stardom were during this phase. He was already a familiar face in Tamil cinema but not yet a star in his own right. He did become one and in style. Action, romance, comedy, sentiment and some daringly different roles like the womanizer of Manmadha Leelai or Chappani of 16 Vayathinile, the audience always got more than what it imagined and Kamal was the next big thing in Tamil cinema. The era also marks the golden period of Kamal-Rajni multistarrers.
1975 - 1960
Antharangam (1975) Apoorva Raagangal (1975) Melnattu Marumagal (1975) Pattikatu Raja (1975) Gumastavin Magal (1974) Kanyakumari (1974) Naan Avanillai (1974) Arrangetram (1973) Sollathan Ninaikiren (1973) Kanna Nalama (1972) Ananda Jyoti (1963) Parthal Pasi Theerum (1962) Kalathur Kannamma (1960)
The first tentative steps of the legend that was to be. Starting out as the child artiste in Kalathur Kannamma with a National Award, Kamal always showed signs of being destined for great things ahead and the man to spot it first was none other that the great K. Balachander. Apoorva Ragangal is a movie that is integral to Tamil cinema’s history as it marked the beginning of the journey of another contemporary great.
Nearly 50 years after he first came on screen, the hunger and passion don’t seem to have diminished one bit. He still wants to go higher and get better. Marmayogi awaits all those who are overawed by the monument of achievements that this man has created and then there is every Kamal fan’s perpetual dream, Marudhanayagam. May the dream come true.
2008 - 2000Dasavatharam (2008), Vettayadu Vilayadu (2006) Mumbai Express (2005) Virumandi (2004) Vasoolraja M.B.B.S (2004) Anbe Sivam (2003) Nala Damayanthi (2003) Pammal K. Sambandam (2002) Panchatanthiram (2002) Aalavandhan (2001) Paarthale Paravasam (2001)Thenali (2000) Hey Ram (2000)
The 8 years of the 21st century have had some very special moments. Yes there have been the debacles, but who cares when you have movies like Anbe Sivam, Virumandi, Vettayadu Vilaiyadu and a piece of cinema history in Dasavatharam. We all thought that we had seen the best of Kamal, but he has surprised us once again and sent a message across that he has a lot more to offer. He may have cut down on the number of movies but his pursuit of excellence just got more intense.
1999 - 1990Chachi 420 (1998) Avvai Shanmugi (1996) Indian (1996) Kuruthipunal (1996) Nammavar (1995) Sathi Leelavathi (1995) Subha Sankalpam (1995) Duet (1994) Ladies Only (1994) Magalir Mattum (1994) Kalaignan (1993)Mahanadi (1993) Maharasan (1993) Guna (1992) Singaaravelan (1992) Thevar Magan (1992) Michael Madana Kamarajan (1991)
The 90s, and Kamal started to get really selective, not that he was not selective before. Movies like Michael Madan Kamarajan, Mahandai, Guna and Thevar Magan made his intentions very clear, he wanted to explore new terrain. But there was the occasional potboiler or rib tickler like Indian and Sathi Leelavathi and we thoroughly enjoyed them. And how can we forget Avvai Shanmugi or the grim cops’ tale Kuruthippunal. Infinite variety.
1989 - 1985Apoorva Sahodarargal (1989) Chanakyan (1989) Daisy (1988) Pesum Padam (1988) Soora Samhaaram (1988) Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988) Kaadhal Parisu (1987) Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (1987) Nayakan (1987) Per Sollum Pillai (1987) Vetri Vizha (1987) Vrutham (1987) December Pookkal (1986) Naanum Oru Thozhilaali (1986) Punnagai Mannan (1986) Vikram (1986) Andha Oru Nimidam (1985) Geraftaar (1985)Kaakki Sattai (1985) Mangamma Sabatham (1985) Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (1985) Saagar (1985) Swathi Muthyam (1985)
The second half of the prolific 80s. This was when Kamal really grew into his full stature. Yes, most of the movies were commercial hero-driven entertainers and Kamal was the pin-up boy of Tamil cinema. But there were the unique and fantastic movies that only Kamal could have done, starting with the incomparable Nayagan, the still unparalleled Pesum Padam and the magnificent Apoorva Sahodarargal. Kamal had arrived at the national stage.
1984 - 1980Ek Nai Paheli (1984) Enakkul Oruvan (1984) Jappanil Kalyanaraman (1984) Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1984) Raaj Tilak (1984) Yaadgaar (1984) Yeh Desh (1984) Moondram Pirai (1983) Poikkal Kuthirai (1983) Sadma (1983) Sagara Sangamam (1983) Thoongathey Tambi Thoongathey (1983) Zara Si Zindagi (1983) Salangai Oli (1983) Afsana Do Dilon Ka (1982) Agni Sakshi (1982) Dil Ka Sathi Dil (1982) Pyara Tarana (1982) Raniththeni (1982) Sakala Kala Vallavan (1982) Sanam Teri Kasam (1982) Simla Special (1982) Vazhve Mayam (1982) Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya (1982) Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)Aakali Rajyam (1981) Do Dil Diwane (1981) Ellaam Inbamayam (1981) Kadal Meengal (1981) Meendum Kokila (1981) Raaja Paarvai (1981)Rama Lakshman (1981) Savaal (1981) Shankarlal (1981) Tik Tik Tik (1981) Guru (1980) Maria My Darling (1980) Natchatiram (1980) Ullasa Paravaigal (1980) Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980)
Kamal the young actor had become Kamal the star and movies were flowing thick and fast. In the most busy phase of his career Kamal churned out box office hit one after another but still managed to be part of some ‘one of its kind movies’ like Ek Duje Ke Liye, Moondram Pirai and Vaazhve Mayam. The Bollywood offers were coming like never before. The making of the legend had begun.
1979 - 1976Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum (1979)Azhiyatha Kolangal (1979) Idi Kathakaadu (1979) Kalyanaraman (1979) Neela Malargal (1979) Neeya (1979) Ninaithale Inikkum (1979) Sigappukkal Mookuthi (1979) Thai Illamal Naan Illai (1979) Yerra Gulabi (1979) Aval Appadithaan (1978)Chattam En Kaiyil (1978) Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (1978) Madanolsavam (1978)Maro Charithra (1978) Nizhal Nijamakirathu (1978) Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) Thappitha Thala (1978) Aadu Puli Atham (1977) Aaina (1977) Avargal (1977) Meethi Meethi Baatein (1977) Pathinaru Vayathinile (1977) Uyarnthavargal (1977) Anthuleni Katha (1976) Idaya Malar (1976) Lalitha (1976) Manmatha Leelai (1976) Moondru Mudichu (1976)
Kamal’s first shots at stardom were during this phase. He was already a familiar face in Tamil cinema but not yet a star in his own right. He did become one and in style. Action, romance, comedy, sentiment and some daringly different roles like the womanizer of Manmadha Leelai or Chappani of 16 Vayathinile, the audience always got more than what it imagined and Kamal was the next big thing in Tamil cinema. The era also marks the golden period of Kamal-Rajni multistarrers.
1975 - 1960Antharangam (1975) Apoorva Raagangal (1975) Melnattu Marumagal (1975) Pattikatu Raja (1975) Gumastavin Magal (1974) Kanyakumari (1974) Naan Avanillai (1974) Arrangetram (1973) Sollathan Ninaikiren (1973) Kanna Nalama (1972) Ananda Jyoti (1963) Parthal Pasi Theerum (1962) Kalathur Kannamma (1960)
The first tentative steps of the legend that was to be. Starting out as the child artiste in Kalathur Kannamma with a National Award, Kamal always showed signs of being destined for great things ahead and the man to spot it first was none other that the great K. Balachander. Apoorva Ragangal is a movie that is integral to Tamil cinema’s history as it marked the beginning of the journey of another contemporary great.
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