Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan is celebrating his 70th birthday today, November 7. In his career spanning six decades, the actor has been a source of inspiration for hundreds of people in the film industries. As he turns 70, it’s the perfect time to take a look at the cinematic journey of an actor who has consistently pushed the boundaries of storytelling and performance.

In his decades-long career, Kamal Haasan has played many brilliant roles, each of which is extremely memorable for the way he has brought unique and nuanced characters to life. His legacy is built on these unforgettable illustrations, a testament to the depth of his talent and dedication to his art.

Here are eight iconic roles that really show who Kamal Haasan is and why he is one of the most celebrated actors in Indian cinema.

Moondram Pirai (1982) – Srinivas

In Moondram Pirai, Kamal Haasan played the role of Srinivas, a school teacher who falls in love with a woman suffering from amnesia. His character was full of tenderness and devotion as he cared for them despite the challenges. The film’s emotional climax, in which Srinivas is desperately trying to revive his girlfriend’s memories, is one of the most heart-wrenching scenes in Indian cinema. Haasan’s soulful performance won him a National Film Award and established him as a powerful actor who could make audiences cry along with him.

Nayakan (1987) – Velu Nayakkar

In Nayakan, directed by Mani Ratnam, Kamal Haasan played the role of Velu Nayakkar, a character inspired by real-life gangster Varadarajan Mudaliar. Through Naicker, Haasan brought to life a complex anti-hero – a man who rises to power in the underworld to protect his people, while grappling with moral compromises along the way.

Haasan’s performance in Nayakan was nothing short of a masterclass in acting, displaying raw vulnerability and brutal authority in equal measure. His portrayal won him a National Film Award and helped redefine the anti-hero trope in Indian cinema.

Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) – Appu/King

In Apoorva Sagodharargal, Kamal Haasan was seen in a dual role, in which one of his characters was Appu, a dwarf who wanted to avenge his father’s murder. The physical transformation and agility with which Haasan embodied Appu, especially considering the challenges of playing a character with a physical disability, is an impressive feat that remains a mystery in Tamil cinema.

Indian (1996) – Commander

Shankar’s Indian stars Kamal Haasan as a freedom fighter turned vigilante, who takes justice into his own hands to root out corruption. At the age of 42, Haasan resorted to extensive make-up and prosthetics to play the aging general. Beyond the physical transformation, it was Haasan’s ability to embody the commander’s righteous anger, sense of betrayal and his painful disillusionment with society that made the role iconic.

Haasan’s performance powerfully conveys the duality of a man who is both compassionate and forgiving.

Hey Ram (2000) – Saket Ram

In the self-directed Hey Ram, Kamal Haasan plays Saket Ram, a man torn by personal tragedy who initially seeks revenge but later confronts the futility of violence. Set against the backdrop of the partition of India, Haasan’s role in Hey Ram is a bold exploration of complex themes like nationalism, identity and liberation.

His nuanced portrayal of Saket’s journey from hatred to forgiveness, coupled with his skillful direction, makes this one of Haasan’s most ambitious and thoughtful performances.

Ambe Shivam (2003) – Nallasivam

In Ambe Sivam, Kamal Haasan played Nallasivam, a compassionate atheist and communist whose physical wounds symbolize his inner resilience and his individuality. The role highlights Haasan’s deftness in playing a man who is physically and emotionally hurt, yet believes in the goodness of humanity.

The film explored themes of compassion, faith and humanity, with Haasan’s portrayal of Nallasivam adding a deeper, philosophical dimension to the character. The emotional gravitas he brought to the role turned Ambe Sivam into a beloved classic that continues to resonate with audiences even today.

Dasavathaaram (2008) – ten roles, one actor

If any film reflects the breadth of Kamal Haasan’s talent and the lengths an actor will go to for a project, it is Dasavathaaram. In this ambitious project, Haasan not only starred, but also co-wrote the screenplay, playing ten different characters – from a scientist to a Buddhist monk, and from a tall American to a local hero.

The film required extensive preparation, including hours of prosthetic makeup for each character. What makes Dasavathaaram remarkable is not just the variety of roles played by Haasan, but his ability to imbue each character with unique body language, speech patterns and personality.

Vikram (2022) – Return of a legend

In Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Vikram, Kamal Haasan returns to the action genre with a powerful portrayal of a retired intelligence officer who comes out of the shadows to deal with a drug cartel. Even at the age of 70, Haasan brings energy and gravitas to the role, proving that age is no barrier to delivering an impressive performance.

His character in Vikram is one of strength, resilience and silent menace, and the film became a blockbuster that introduced Haasan to a new generation of fans. The role is a testament to Haasan’s ability to constantly reinvent himself even after decades in the business.

These iconic performances, among others, remind us of his extraordinary talent and his unwavering passion for cinema. Whether he is playing the role of a gangster, a patriot, a vigilante, or a nobleman, Kamal Haasan’s characters have become part of the core fabric of Indian cinema, forever changing what it means to be a true cinematic icon. Has given.