Kamalahasan (b. 1954)

Tamil star and a major figure in Malayalam, Telugu and briefly in Hindi cinemas. Born in Paramakudi near Madurai Dist., TN. Joined films aged 6 in Bhimsingh?’s Tamil films (Kalathur Kannamma, Parthal Pasi Theerum) and in Sethumadhavan’s Malayalam Kannum Karalum. Rediscovered as an adult by K. Balachander (Arangetram), featuring regularly in the director’s 70s films, in his Telugu hit Maro Charithra, and in its equally successful Hindi remake (Kamalahasan’s Hindi début) Ek Duuje Ke Liye. Tried to shift to Hindi cinema, playing the Chaplinesque hero in Ramesh Sippy?’s love triangle Sagar, but was not successful. Acted in some of I.V. Sasi’s Malayalam films but broke away from his established image in K. Vishwanath?’s Sagara Sangamam, astounding viewers with his dancing skills in the difficult Bharat Natyam style (he was trained as a dancer by K.J. Sarasa and had worked as a choreographer in films). Following the ribald, wordless comedy Pushpak, he imposed yet another image with the Brando-inspired starring role in Nayakan. Since then performed, like De Niro, major physical transformations (e.g. the dwarf in Apoorva Sahodarargal), combining a light ‘heroic’ style with a heavier naturalism for older characters. Started his own production unit with Raja Parvai. Has produced some (under his Rajkamal prod.) and scripted or shared script credit for several of his recent films: (Apoorva Sahodarargal, Guna, Mahanadhi). Acted with Sivaji Ganesan in another Godfather adaptation, Thevar Magan, which he scripted and produced as well. The film allowed Kamalahasan to return to the theme of feudal landlords in his native Madurai landscape which, he claimed, recalls Sicily.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1960: Kalathur Kannamma; 1961: Thayilla Pillai; 1962: Parthal Pasi Theerum; Patha Kannikkai; Kannum Karalum; 1963: Vanambadi; Ananda Jyoti; 1972: Kanna Nalama; 1973: Arangetram; Sollathen Ninaikiran; 1974: Paruvakalam; Gumastavin Magal; Nan Avanillai; Panathukkaga; Aval Oru Thodarkathai; Kanyakumari; Vishnu Vijayam; 1975: Ayirathil Oruthi; Antharangam; Apoorva Ragangal; Cinema Paithiyam; Malai Sooda Va; Melnattu Marumagal; Pattam Poochi; Pattikatu Raja; Thangathile Vairam; Then Sindhuthe Vanam; Jnan Ninne Premikkunu; Thiruvonam; Mattoru Seeta; Rasaleela; 1976: Idaya Malar; Kumara Vijayam; Lalitha; Manmatha Leelai; Moham Muppathu Varusham; Moondru Mudichu; Oru Udhappu Kann Simittukirathu; Sathyam; Unarchikal; Agnipushpan; Appooppan; Aruthu; Samasya; Swimming Pool; Ponn; Nee Ente Lahari; Sivathandavam; Ashirvadam; Madhura Swapnam; Kuttavum Sitshayum; Anthuleni Katha; 1977: Aadu Puli Atham; Avargal; Naam Pirandha Maan; Pathinaru Vayathinile; Uyarnthavargal; Unnai Chutrumugalam; Sridevi; Ashtamangalyam; Nirai Kudam; Ormakal Marikkumo; Anandam Paramanandam; Satyavan Savithri; Adyapadam; Madanolsavam; Kokila; Kabita; 1978: Aval Appadithan; Chattam En Kaiyil; Elamai Vunjaladugiradhu; Manitharil Ithanai Nirangala; Nizhal Nijamkirathu; Paruvamazhai; Sigappu Rojakkal; Maro Charithra; Vayasu Pilichindi; Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi; Kathrina Nimisham; Anumodhanam; Vayanadan Thampan; Yeetta; Padakkudhira; Thappu Thalangal; 1979: Azhiyada Kolangal; Neeya; Sigappukkal Mookuthi; Ninaithale Inikkum; Thayillamal Nannilai; Kalyanaraman; Mangala Vadyam; Neela Malargal; Allavudeenum Albutha Velakkum/Allavudeenum? Arputha Vilakkum; Andamaina Anubhavam; Idi Kathakadu; 1980: Ullasa Paravaigal; Guru; Varumayin Niram Sigappu; Maria My Darling; Kalyana Jyothi; Satyavanthudu; Natchatiram; 1981: Meendum Kokila; Rama Lakshman; Raja Parvai; Kadal Meengal; Ellam Inbamayam; Tik Tik Tik; Saval; Akali Rajyam; Ek Duuje Ke Liye; Do Dil Diwane; Prema Pichhi; Shankarlal; Thillu Mullu; 1982: Simla Special; Pagadai Pannirendu; Vazhve Mayam; Moondram Pirai; Sahalakala Vallavan; Sanam Teri Kasam; Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya; Dil Ka Sathi Dil; Pyara Tarana; Andhiveyilille Ponnu; Ezham Rathri; Afsana Do Dilon Ka; Agni Satchi; Mattuvin Chattangale; Premabhishekham; Nandri Meendum Varuga; Rani Theni; 1983: Thoongathe Thambi Thoongathe; Uruvavugal Maralam; Chattam; Sagara Sangamam; Snehabandham; Zara Si Zindagi; Sadma; Snehabhishekham; Benki Alli Aralida Hoovu; Poikkal Kuthirai; 1984: Ek Nai Paheli; Enakkul Oruvan; Yeh Desh; Yaadgaar; Raj Tilak; Karishma; Jalsarayudu; Sahasa Simham; Oru Kaithiyin Diary; 1985: Andha Oru Nimidam; Japanil Kalyanaraman; Kakki Chattai; Mangamma Sapatham; Meendum Parasakthi; Uyarntha Ullam; Sagar; Giraftaar; Swati Muthyam; Jalsa Bullodu; Dekha Pyar Tumhara; 1986: Manakanakku; Vikram (Tam); Punnagai Mannan; Oka Radha Idduru Krishnulu; Nanum Oru Thozhilali; December Pookkal; 1987: Persollum Pillai; Nayakan; Vrutham; Pushpak/Pushpak? Vimana/Pesum? Padum; Kathal Parisu; Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupadu; 1988: Sathya; Soora Samharam; Unnal Mudiyum Thambi; 1989: Apoorva Sahodarargal/Appu? Raja; Vetri Vizha; Indrudu Chandrudu; Chanakyam/Chanakyan?; 1990: Michael Madana Kamarajan; My Dear Marthandan; 1991: Guna; Singaravelan; Sivaranjani; 1992: Thevar Magan; 1993: Maharasan; Kalaingnan; Mahanadhi; 1994: Nammavar; Magalir Mattum; 1995: Kurudhippunal; Shubha Sankalpam; Sati Leelavathi.

Actor