Kamal Haasan (born 7 November 1954) is an Indian film actor, script writer, and filmmaker, considered one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema.Haasan is known for winning several Indian film awards, including earning the most National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards, and also has the distinction of being the actor with the most number of films submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In addition to acting and directing, he is a screenwriter, lyricist, playback singer and choreographer. His film production company, Rajkamal International, has produced several of his films.

After several projects as a child artiste, Kamal Haasan’s breakthrough into lead acting came with his role in the 1975 drama Apoorva Raagangal, in which he played a rebellious youth in love with an older woman. He secured his first Indian National Film Award for his portrayal of a guileless school teacher who tends a child-like amnesiac in 1982’s Moondram Pirai. He was particularly noted for his performance in Mani Ratnam’s Godfatheresque Nayagan (1987), which was ranked by Time magazine as one of the best films of all time. Since then he has gone on to appear in other notable films such as his own productions, Hey Ram and Virumaandi, as well as the magnum opus Dasavathaaram, in which he appeared in ten distinct roles.

Biography

Early career: 1960s – early 1970s

Kamal Haasan made his film debut as a 4-year-old child artiste, in Kalathur Kannamma which was directed by A. Bhimsingh and released on 12 August 1959. He was cast along with the veteran Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan, winning the National Film Award for Best Child Artist.[4] He acted as a child actor in five other Tamil films in the subsequent few years co-starring with Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran.

Following a nine year hiatus from films to concentrate on his education as well as learning karate and Bharathanatyam, Haasan returned with a series of low budget films in 1972, in all of which he played supporting roles. These films included roles in Arangetram and Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, both co-starring Sivakumar. His final supporting role before establishing himself as a lead actor was in Naan Avanillai.

Late 1970s – 1980s

Kamal Haasan first received a regional Filmfare Award for acting for his role in the Malayalam film Kanyakumari (1974). In the next four years, he won six regional Best Actor Filmfare Awards, including four consecutive Best Tamil Actor Awards. He acted in director K. Balachander’s Apoorva Raagangal, an exploration of age-gap relationships. The late 1970s was a period that saw Kamal Haasan’s frequent collaboration with K. Balachander, who also cast him in many of his socially-themed films such as Avargal (1977).The film won Haasan his first Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award.

In 1976, Haasan appeared in the drama Moondru Mudichu with Rajinikanth and Sridevi, another K. Balachander film, Manmadha Leelai, and Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, which won him his second consecutive Best Actor Award. 16 Vayathinile won him his third consecutive award, where he appeared as a mentally ill villager, once again alongside Rajinikanth and Sridevi. The fourth consecutive award came with Sigappu Rojakal in which he appeared as an anti-hero who is a psychopathic sexual killer. In the late seventies, Haasan appeared in other films such as the comedy Ninaithale Inikkum and the horror film Neeya.

Haasan’s pairing with the actress Sridevi continued with Guru and Varumayin Niram Sigappu in 1980. Kamal Haasan also made guest–cameo appearances, such as in the Rajnikanth film Thillu Mullu; Rajinikanth had previously appeared in some of Kamal Haasan’s films. Haasan’s 100th career film appearance was in 1981’s Raja Paarvai, which also marked his debut in film production. Despite this film’s relatively poor reception at the cinemas, his portrayal of a blind session violinist earned him a Filmfare Award.

His next acting role, in Ek Duuje Ke Liye, became his first Hindi-language film. It was the remake of his previous Telugu-language film, Maro Charithra by K. Balachandar. Following a year of starring in commercially-oriented films, Haasan won his first of three National Awards for Best Actor with his portrayal of a school teacher who looks after a mentally retarded girl in Balu Mahendra’s Moondram Pirai, alter reprising the role in the Hindi version, Sadma.In 1983, Haasan appeared in Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey playing a double role.

Till 1985, Haasan began to appear in more Hindi language films, including Saagar, for which he was awarded both the Filmfare Best Actor Award and the Best Supporting Actor Award, making him the first actor to win both awards for a single film. Saagar portrayed him alongside Rishi Kapoor both of whom were pinning for a woman, but Haasan ultimately loses out. Haasan also appeared in Geraftaar. He featured in Tamil cinema’s first sequel Japanil Kalyanaraman, which followed up his previous, Kalyanaraman as well as acting in Uruvangal Maralam co-starring Sivaji Ganesan and Rajinikanth.
In the mid-1980s, Haasan appeared in two Telugu language films, Sagara Sangamam and Swathi Muthyam with director, Kasinadhuni Viswanath. The latter film was India’s representative for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film in 1986. Whilst, the former film portrayed Haasan as a drunkard classical dancer, Swathi Muthyam portrays him as an autistic person attempting to change society. Following Punnagai Mannan, in which he portrays dual roles including a satire of Charlie Chaplin and Vetri Vizha as an amnesiac, Haasan appeared in Mani Rathnam’s 1987 film Nayagan. Nayagan portrays the life of an underworld don in Bombay. The story revolves around the life of a real-life underworld don called Varadarajan Mudaliar, whilst sympathetically depicting the struggle of South Indians living in Mumbai.

Haasan received an Indian National Award for his performance and Nayagan was nominated by India as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1987 as well as being included in the Time top 100 movies list. In 1988, Haasan appeared in his only silent film to date, appearing in the black comedy Pushpak. In 1989, Haasan played a triple role in Apoorva Sagodharargal. The commercial film portrayed him in a role as a dwarf. He then attempted dual roles in Indrudu Chandrudu and its Tamil remake, winning the regional Best Actor Award for his performance.
The 1990s

Michael Madhana Kamarajan in 1991 saw Haasan go one step further, acting in four different roles as quadruplets with the film starting an ongoing collaboration for future comedy films between Haasan and Crazy Mohan, a dialogue writer. The film became a blockbuster, with Haasan’s portrayals all being critically praised; with one forming the crux for a future venture by his production house. Haasan won successive best actor awards for his portrayal of the deranged, obsessive protagonist in Guna and in Thevar Magan, where he played the son of actor, Sivaji Ganesan.

Guna met with critical acclaim but failed commercially, whilst the latter became a big success, being remade into Hindi as Virasat, with Haasan credited for the story as well as being India’s submission for the Academy Awards that year. After a series of successful commercial films such as Singaravelan, Maharasan and Kalaignan; Haasan began to appear in comedies such as Sathi Leelavathi, based on the English film She-Devil, as well as renewing his collobaration with Kasinadhuni Viswanath in his last Telugu language film to date, Subha Sankalpam. The film, Haasan’s home production, featured him opposite comedienne Kovai Sarala and it’s success led on to further regional remakes.

In 1996, Haasan starred in the police story, Kuruthipunal. His success in Kuruthipunal, was followed by his third National Film Award for Best Actor in Indian. Playing dual roles of a freedom fighter and his untrustful son, the film also won Haasan regional awards and plaudits for his portrayal.Moreover, both films were also selected as India’s submission for the Academy Awards in their respectiver release years.

Haasan appeared as a woman in Avvai Shanmughi inspired by the Hollywood production, Mrs. Doubtfire. In 1997, Haasan began his first directorial venture, the biopic of Mohammed Yusuf Khan, Marudhanayagam which failed to complete its schedules with only half an hour and a trailer being recorded during its shoot. Marudhanayagam had been speculated to be the biggest and most expensive film in Indian cinema with a number of high profile actors technicians signing up for roles.

Moreover, the film was launched in a much publicized ceremony by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom during her visit to India in 1997. Due to budget constraints, the film failed to materialize into feature length but Haasan has sinced stated his interest in building up funds for the project since. Haasan soon made his debut as director with a remake of Avvai Shanmughi in Hindi titled Chachi 420.

2000s: Hey Ram and onwards

Following a two-year hiatus in Indian cinema, Haasan opted against reviving his magnum opus, Marudhanayagam, and filmed his second directorial venture, Hey Ram, a period drama told in flashback with a semi-fictional plot centering around India’s Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Haasan also took on roles as the writer, the lyricist and the choreographer as well as producing the film under his home banner. The film, also featured Shahrukh Khan and was India’s submission for the Academy Awards that year.

His following film was Aalavandhan, where he portrayed two distinct roles, for one of which he had his head shaved bald and gained ten kilograms. Despite much publicity prior to release, the film failed commercially, with Haasan opting to repay distributors who had suffered losses with the film.
Following a series of successful comedies in Thenali, Panchathantiram and Pammal K. Sambandam and a couple of guest appearances, Haasan directed his third feature film in Virumaandi, a film about the death penalty.

Haasan also appeared in Anbe Sivam alongside Madhavan. Priyadarshan, who started the film, departed allowing commercial director Sundar C to complete the film. Anbe Sivam told the story of Nallasivam, enacted by Haasan as an idealist, social activist and communist. Kamal Haasan’s performance was highly lauded by critics with The Hindu stating that Haasan “has once again done Tamil cinema proud”.

Haasan then appeared in the remake film Vasool Raja alongside Sneha. In 2006, Haasan’s long delayed project, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu emerged as a blockbuster. Gautham Menon’s Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu was Haasan’s first cop film since Kuruthipunal. In 2008, Haasan appeared in K. S. Ravikumar’s Dasavathaaram portraying ten distinct roles in the venture which to-date remains the most expensive Indian film ever made.Pairing opposite Asin Thottumkal, the film became the second highest grossing film ever in Tamil cinema and won Haasan critical praise for his enactment.

He had also undertook the opportunity of being the story and screenwriter for the project. Following the completion of Dasavathaaram, Haasan opted to direct his fourth directorial venture, with a film tentatively titled Marmayogi, which after a year of pre-production became stalled.

He then opted to produce and star in a venture, Unnaipol Oruvan, co-starring him with Mohanlal. The film, which had Shruti Haasan appear as the music director, became a successful venture for Haasan at the box-office. Kamal Haasan is currently working on his fifth collaboration with Ravikumar, in Manmadhan Ambu, in which he also writes the dialogues and screenplay. The film also features Madhavan and Trisha Krishnan and will be released in the final quarter of 2010.

Personal life

Family

Kamal Haasan was born in Paramakudi, Madras State, to a criminal lawyer named D. Srinivasan and his wife Rajalakshmi, both a part of the Tamil Iyengar caste, in the village of Paramakudi in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. Haasan has referred to his parents in recent films, with references being made in Unnaipol Oruvan as well as in the song, Kallai Mattum from Dasavathaaram. Kamal Haasan was the youngest of three brothers, the others being Charuhasan and Chandra Haasan.

Charuhasan, like Kamal Haasan, is a National Film Award-winning actor, who appeared in the noted Kannada film, Tabarana Kathe among others, but he has semi-retired from films since of recent times. Kamal’s niece (Charuhasan’s daughter), Suhasini is also a National Film Award Winner and is married to noted director and fellow Award winner, Mani Ratnam, who collaborated with Kamal Haasan in 1987’s Nayagan.

Chandra Haasan has appeared as the producer for several of Kamal Haasan’s films as well as being an executive of Kamal Haasan’s home production company, Rajkamal International. His brother’s daughter Anu Haasan has appeared in several films in supporting roles, most notably in Suhasini’s Indira.

Kamal Haasan, despite being born into a Hindu Brahmin family, has declared himself as an atheist; with his roles in Anbe Sivam and Dasavathaaram, both co-written by Kamal Haasan, featuring anti-theistical views.Kamal Haasan, has also been mistaken for a Muslim due to the Islamic nature of his surname, and was famously stopped for his name at Toronto Airport in 2002. The name had originated from a friend of his father, Yaakob Hassan, a Muslim freedom fighter who spent time in prison with Kamal Haasan’s father whilst imprisoned by the British. Yaakob Hassan had protected Srinivasan from other prisoners who hated the Brahmins. Later, he paid tribute to his friend by incorporating part of his name into his sons’ names.

Relationships

Despite his much praised and applauded film career, his personal life had some setbacks which have been exploited by the media. In Haasan’s early career, he co-starred in several Tamil and Malayalam films with noted actress Srividya. The pair were reported to have been a part of a notorious affair in the 1970s, with their relationship being explored in the 2008-released Malayalam film, Thirakkatha by Renjith, with Anoop Menon portraying Haasan and Priyamani playing Srividya. Srividya, who died in 2006, was visited by Haasan at her bedside during her final days.

In 1978, at the age of twenty four, Haasan met and married danseuse Vani Ganapathy, who was elder to him. Vani put on the mantle of costume designer for her Haasan’s movies and was publicized for walking along with Haasan into the Filmfare Awards South ceremony of 1980, immediately after their wedding. However, the couple split after ten years together, after Haasan began dating fellow actress, Sarika, with Haasan confirming in a later interview that he and Vani have never been in touch ever since their divorce.

Subsequently, Haasan and Sarika married in 1988, with the pair having two children: Shruti Haasan (born 1986) and Akshara Haasan (born 1991). The former is a singer as well as an upcoming actress, whilst the latter is pursuing higher studies in Bangalore. Sarika, retired from acting roles soon after her marriage with Haasan, replacing his ex-wife, Vani Ganapathy as Haasan’s costume designer, with acclaimed work in Hey Ram. However, the pair filed for divorced in 2002, with Sarika estranging herself from her children as well as Haasan by the end of the procedure in 2004.

Haasan’s intimate relationship with co-star Simran Bagga, who is twenty two years younger, became the reason for the split. A brief relationship with Simran, who appeared opposite Haasan in two consecutive ventures with Pammal K. Sambandam and Panchathantiram, followed after she ended her relationship with choreographer Raju Sundaram. However, the pair’s companionship was short lived, with Simran going onto marry a childhood friend in 2004. Currently Haasan lives with former actress, Gouthami Tadimalla, who co-starred with Haasan in several films in the late 80’s to the early 90’s. Haasan helped her during her traumatic experience suffering from breast cancer and the pair have been in a domestic relationship since 2005. Along with Shruti and Akshara, Gouthami’s daughter, Subbalakshmi, from an annulled marriage also lives with them.

Awards and honours

Kamal Haasan, a Padmashri holder, is the most decorated actor in terms of awards in the history of Indian cinema.

He holds the record for the most National Film Awards for an actor with four, three awards for Best Actor and one for Best Child Artiste.

Moreover, Haasan holds a record nineteen Filmfare Awards – ranging across five languages, and after his latest award in 2000, wrote to the organisation to exempt him from further awards.

Other recognitions include a string of Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Nandi Awards and Vijay Awards, in which Haasan won four separate awards for his performance in Dasavathaaram.

Filmography

2010s

1. Manmadhan Ambu in Tamil

2000s

2009

1. Unnaipol Oruvan

2008

1. Dasavathaaram

2006

1. Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu

2005

1. Rama Shama Bama
2. Mumbai Xpress  in Hindi
3. Mumbai Express in Tamil

2004

1. Vasool Raja MBBS
2. Virumaandi

2003

1. Nala Damayanthi
2. Anbe Sivam

2002

1. Panchathantiram
2. Pammal K. Sambandam

2001

1. Parthale Paravasam
2. Aalavandhan
3. Thenali

2000

1. Hey Ram

1990s

1. 1998
2. Kaathala Kaathala
3. Chachi 420
4. Avvai Shanmugi

1996

1. Indian

1995

1. Kuruthipunal
2. Subha Sankalpam
3. Sathi Leelavathi
4. Nammavar    Selvam

1994

1. Magalir Mattum
2. Mahanadi

1993

1. Kalaignan
2. Maharasan

1992

1. Thevar Magan
2. Singaravelan

1991

1. Guna

1990

1. Michael Madhana Kamarajan
2. My Dear Marthandan

1980s

1989

1. Indrudu Chandrudu
2. Vetri Vizha
3. Apoorva Sagodharargal

1988

1. Unnal Mudiyum Thambi in Tamil
2. Soora Samhaaram in Tamil
3. Daisy in Malayalam
4. Sathya in Tamil
5. Pushpak(Pushpaka Vimana) in Kannada

1987

1. Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu in Tamil
2. Nayagan in Tamil
3. Per Sollum Pillai in Tamil
4. Andarikante Ghanudu in Telugu
5. Viratham in Malayalam
6. Kadhal Parisu in Tamil

1986

1. December Pookal in Tamil
2. Punnagai Mannan inTamil
3. Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu in Telugu
4. Vikram in Tamil
5. Naanum Oru Thozhilali in Tamil
6. Swathi Muthyam in Telugu

1985

1. Dekha Pyar Tumhara in Hindi
2. Japanil Kalyanaraman in Tamil
3. Mangamma Sabadham in Tamil
4. Geraftaar in Hindi
5. Saagar in Hindi
6. Uyarndha Ullam in Tamil
7. Andha Oru Nimdham in Tamil
8. Kaakki Sattai in Tamil

1984

1. Oru Kaidhiyin Diary in Tamil
2. Aakhri Sangram in Hindi
3. Karishma in Hindi
4. Enakkul Oruvan in Tamil
5. Raj Tilak in Hindi
6. Yaadgar in Hindi
7. Ek Nai Paheli in Hindi
8. Yeh Desh in Hindi
9. Pyasa Shaitan in Hindi
10. Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey in Tamil

1983

1. Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu in Kannada
2. Poikkal Kudhirai ininin Tamil
3. Sadma in Hindi
4. Sagara Sangamam in Telugu
5. Sneha Bandham in Malayalam
6. Sattam in Tamil
7. Uruvangal Maralam in Tamil
8. Zara Si Zindagi in Hindi

1982

1. Agni Sakshi in Tamil
2. in Tamil
3. Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya in Hindi
4. Rani Theni     Tamil
5. Ezham Rathiri in Malayalam
6. Dil Ka Sathi Dil in Hindi
7. Afsana Do Dilon Ka in Hindi
8. Sagalakala Vallavan in Tamil
9. Sanam Teri Kasam in Hindi
10. Simla Special in Tamil
11. Moondram Pirai in Tamil
12. Naandri, Meendum Varuga in Tamil
13. Andhi Veyilile Ponnu in Malayalam
14. Andhagudu Telugu
15. Vazhvey Maayam in Tamil

1981

1. Do Dil Diwane in Hindi
2. Ellam Inbamayyam in Tamil
3. Tick! Tick! Tick! in Tamil
4. Sankarlal in Tamil
5. Savaal in Tamil
6. Kadal Meengal in Tamil
7. Ek Duuje Ke Liye in Hindi
8. Raja Paarvai inTamil
9. Ram Lakshman in Tamil
10. Meendum Kokila in Tamil
11. Aakali Rajyam in Telugu
12. Thillu Mullu in Tamil

1980

1. Natchathiram in Tamil   
2. Maria, My Darling in Tamil
3. Maria, My Darling in Kannada
4. Varumayin Niram Sigappu in Tamil
5. Guru in Tamil
6. Ullasa Paravaigal in Tamil
   

1970s

1979

1. Azhiyadha Kolangal  in  Tamil
2. Neela Malargal     in       Tamil
3. Mangala Vaathiyam     in      Tamil
4. Kalyanaraman   in    Tamil
5. Idi Katha Kaadu      in     Telugu
6. Allaudinaum Arputha Vilakkum    in    Tamil
7. Andhamaina Anubhavam    in    Telugu
8. Ninaithale Inikkum in  Tamil
9. Thaayillamal Naan Illai   in  Tamil
10. Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum    in  Malayalam
11. Neeya    in   Tamil
12. Sigappukkal Mookkuthi     in    Tamil   Sommokadidhi Sokkadidhi     in  Telugu
13. Amara Prema     in    Telugu

1978

1. Thappida Thala      in      Kannada
2. Madanolsavam    in   Malayalam    Dubbed into Hindi as Dil Ka Sath Dil
3. Yaetta  in   Malayalam
4. Aval Appadithan   in    Tamil
5. Manidharil Ithanai Nirangala  in       Tamil
6. Sigappu Rojakal    in    Tamil    Dubbed into Telugu as Erra Gulaabeelu
7. Vayanadhan Thamban       in     Malayalam
8. Anumodhanam    in      Malayalam
9. Vayasu Pilichindi     in      Telugu
10. Sattam En Kaiyil    in    Tamil
11. Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu   in       Tamil
12. Maro Charitra     in  Telugu
13. Nizhal Nijamagiradhu   in  Tamil

1977

1. Aadhya Paadham    in    Malayalam
2. Sathyavaan Saavithri   in    Malayalam
3. Kokila    in     Kannada
4. Naam Pirandha Mann    in       Tamil
5. Aanandham Paramaanandham   in     Malayalam
6. Aadu Puli Aattam   in     Tamil
7. 16 Vayathinile   in    Tamil
8. Oor Magal Marikkumo    in       Malayalam
9. Nirakudum    in      Malayalam
10. Ashta Maangalyam       in   Malayalam
11. Kabita  in   Bengali
12. Unnai Suttrum Ulagam       in    Tamil
13. Sridevi      in    Malayalam
14. Madhura Sopnam     in   Malayalam
15. Avargal  in     Tamil
16. Aasirvaadham     in      Malayalam
17. Sivathaandavam    in     Malayalam
18. Uyarndhavargal       in  Tamil
19. Velankanni Mathave   in     Malayalam

1976

1. Lalitha     in     Tamil
2. Mogam Muppadhu Varusham    in     Tamil
3. Moondru Mudichu    in    Tamil
4. Nee Ente Lahari    in     Malayalam
5. Ponni    in       Malayalam
6. Idhaya Malar    in        Tamil
7. Kumaara Vijayam     in     Tamil
8. Kuttavum Sitshayum    in     Malayalam
9. Unarchigal      in     Malayalam
10. Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu     in     Tamil
11. Sathiyam    in   Tamil
12. Aruthu     in    Malayalam
13. Swimming Pool    in     Malayalam
14. Manmadha Leelai    in    Tamil    Dubbed into Telugu as Manmatha Leela
15. Samassiya    in    Srividya, Madhu    Malayalam
16. Anthu Leni Katha   in  Telugu
17. Appoopan    in      Malayalam
18. Agni Pushpam   in       Malayalam

1975

1. Andharangam     in       Tamil
2. Raasaleela      in      Malayalam
3. Mattoru Seetha    in       Malayalam
4. Thiruvonam    in       Malayalam
5. Apoorva Raagangal  in      Tamil
6. Maalai Sooda Vaa    in       Tamil
7. Gnan Ninne Premikkunnu     in      Malayalam
8. Pattikkaattu Raja     in     Tamil
9. Thangathile Vairam    in     Tamil
10. Melnaattu Marumagal      in      Tamil
11. Then Sindhudhe Vaanam  in    Tamil
12. Aayirathil Oruthi      in    Tamil
13. Pattampoochi      in     Tamil        Cinema Paithiyam  in  Tamil

1974

1. Panathukkaga      in   Tamil
2. Aaina   in   Hindi
3. Vishnu Vijayam  in   Malayalam
4. Anbu Thangai      in   Tamil
5. Kanyakumari      in     Malayalam
6. Naan Avanillai   inTamil
7. Gumasthavin Magal  in Tamil
8. Paruva Kaalam     in Tamil

1973

1. Sollathaan Ninaikkiren   in  Tamil
2. Arangetram in  Tamil

1972

1. Kanna Nalama  in Tamil
2. Kurathi Magan  in Tamil
3. Maanavan  in  Tamil

1960s

1963

1. Anandha Jodhi    in   Tamil as Child Artiste
2. Vaanampadi   in Tamil  as Child Artiste

1962

1. Kannum Kalarum    in   Malayalam as Child Artiste
2. Paadha Kannikkai  in  Tamil    as Child Artiste
3. 1Paarthal Pasi Theerum  in Tamil   as Child Artiste

1960

1. Kalathur Kannamma  in Tamil

National Film Awards

1. 1960 — Best Child Artist for Kalathur Kannamma
2. 1982 — Best Actor Award for Moondram Pirai
3. 1987 — Best Actor Award for Nayagan
4. 1996 — Best Actor Award for Indian

Filmfare Awards

Hindi

1. 1986 — Best Actor Award for Saagar
2. 1998 — Best Story Award for Virasat

Kannada

1. 1988 — Best Actor Award for Pushpak

Malayalam

1. 1974 — Best Actor Award for Kanyakumari
2. 1978 — Best Actor Award for Yaetta

Tamil

1. 1975 — Best Actor Award for Apoorva Raagangal
2. 1976 — Best Actor Award for Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu
3. 1977 — Best Actor Award for 16 Vayadhinile
4. 1978 — Best Actor Award for Sigappu Rojakal
5. 1981 — Best Actor Award for Raja Paarvai
6. 1991 — Best Actor Award for Guna
7. 1992 — Best Actor Award for Thevar Magan
8. 1995 — Best Actor Award for Kuruthipunal
9. 1996 — Best Actor Award for Indian][Avai sanmuki
10. 2000 — Best Actor Award for Hey Ram

Telugu

1. 1981 — Best Actor Award for Aakali Rajyam
2. 1983 — Best Actor Award for Sagara Sangamam
3. 1986 — Best Actor Award for Swathi Muthyam
4. 1989 — Best Actor Award for Indrudu Chandrudu

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

1. 1991 — Special Award for Guna
2. 1992 — Best Actor Award for Devar Magan
3. 1996 — Best Actor Award for Indian
4. 2006 — Best Actor Award for Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu
5. 2008 — Best Actor Award for Dasavathaaram

Nandi Awards

1. 1983 — Best Actor Award for Saagara Sangamam
2. 1986 — Best Actor Award for Swathi Muthyam
3. 1989 — Best Actor Award for Indrudu Chandrudu

Asianet Film Awards

1. 2009 — Special Honour Jury Award for 50 years Contribution to Indian Cinema

Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival

1. 2004 — Best Film Award for Virumaandi

Vijay Awards

1. 2007 - Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema
2. 2008 - Best Villain Award for Dasavatharam
3. 2008 - Best Comedian Award for Dasavatharam
4. 2008 - Best Story-Screenplay Writer Award for Dasavatharam
5. 2008 - Most Popular Hero Of The Year Award for Dasavatharam

Special honours

1. 1990 — Padma Shri
2. 2004 All the awards presented to him were for his artistic talent. He got the first Abraham Kovoor National Award for his Humanist Activities and Secular Life in 2004.
3. 2005 — Honorary Doctorate
4. 2009 — FICCI Living Legend
5. 2009 - CNN IBN Indian of the Year 2009 - Special Achievement Award
6. Kalaimamani

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