Happy Birthday Kamal Haasan!

Fondly known as the "Method Actor of the Indian Film Industry", Kamal Haasan, born on November 7th, 1954, turns 57 this year and thus starting a new chapter in his life.

The living legend has so far sported a variety of careers ranging from being a film actor, screenwriter, producer, director, song writer, playback singer and choreographer. Starring in approximately 200 films, Haasan has always been appreciated for his role in every movie. He is the recipient of four prestigious National Awards and nineteen Filmfare Awards. He was also honored with a Padma Shri for his contribution to the Indian cinema. Hassan is also the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate by Sathyabama University and one of the few actors who have completed 50 successful years in the film industry.

Hassan started his career as a child artist in Kalathur Kannamma alongside the highy acclaimed actor, Gemini Ganesan, winning him the Rashtrapati Award. He starred in another five films as a child artist but later joined a theater repertory, TKS Nataka Sabha, that was helmed by T.K.Shanmugam. It was the theater experience that later shaped up his craft.

Haasan returned to the stage after a long seven-year hiatus, his first role being in the 1970 film Maanavan. He debuted as an assistant director in the film Annai Velankani, but his first breakthrough in the mainstream cinema came with Apoorva Raagangal, which fetched him his first Tamil Filmfare Award. He debuted in the Malayalam film industry with the 1974 film, Kanyakumari, which also won him his first regional Filmfare Award. Kokila was his debut Kannada film alongside the noted Rajnikant and Sridevi, and in the same year, he starred in another regional Bengali film, Kabita.

The actor finally landed in Bollywood through his debut film Ek Duuje Ke Liye. However, it was Moondram Pirai that earned him his first ever National Film Award. In the years to come, Haasan starred in various regional, as well as Hindi films, making him the most sought after actor in the Indian Film Industry.

Though the actor has been enjoying a celebrated career success, his personal life did not transcend so smoothly. He married thrice, his first wife being Vani Ganapathy, second Sarika Thankur and the third Gouthami Tadimalla. He has two daughters, Shruti Haasan, also an actress and Akshara Haasan.