Kamal Haasan turns 70: Let’s take a look at his filmy family tree

Kamal Haasan is undoubtedly one of the finest actors in the Indian cinema. Haasan is majorly known for his best performances in regional films. Being the most versatile actor, filmmaker and social activist, Haasan has reenvisioned the landscape of the Tamil cinema industry and beyond.?

From playing complex characters like Chachi 420 (1997) to? Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Haasan has spearheaded cinematic techniques. Having a career spanning over six decades, Kamal Haasan continues to be an inspiration to the upcoming generations of actors and filmmakers.?

As November 7 marks his 70th birthday, let's delve into some interesting facts about his early life and his impressive family tree that played a major role in shaping his extraordinary career.

Haasan’s groundbreaking roles and legacy continue to grow both on and off screen, if we talk about his millstones, we can't ignore his family which has also been rich in talent and cultural influence, traversing multiple generations of actors, filmmakers and musicians.

Did you know Kamal Haasan was initially named Parthasarathy??

Born in a Brahmin family, Haasan was initially named after the Parthasarathy deity at Pallava-era temple in Chennai. Later his father changed his name to Kamal Haasan. Talking about his father's influence on his life, Kamal Haasan once said, "I didn’t know the purpose of my birth, but it's almost like he knew the purpose of my birth that he mentored and guided me. When he was asked why I was allowed to go into the field of arts and cinema instead of becoming an IAS officer, my father replied that I could become an artist first and then an IAS officer. He asked me to follow my path and guided me with his love as a father."

A sneak peek at Haasan’s immediate family?

Haasan was immensely influenced by his father D. Srinivasan who was a lawyer by profession and was also involved in arts and culture, which had a significant impact on Kamal's exposure to creativity. His mother, Rajalakshmi Srinivasan, was a homemaker who encouraged his passion for the arts from an early age.?

Haasan grew up with three siblings

If you are wondering who was the driving force behind Kamal Haasan’s iconic career, then you must know about his siblings. Haasan had three siblings — Charuhasan, Chandrahasan and Nalini (Raghu) and he is the youngest of all. Charuhasan (oldest brother), just like Haasan, was a National Award-winning actor who appeared in the Kannada film Tabarana Kathe. His other brother, Chandra Haasan, was a well-known actor and producer, who was also involved in the Tamil film industry. He passed away at the age of 82 due to a massive cardiac arrest. Apart from his two brothers, Haasan also has an older sister Nalini Raghu who is a trained classical dancer. Nalini has maintained a private life mostly and has been a source of support to the actor., Incidentally, her son Gautham has played Hasaan's grandson in the movie "Hey Ram".

Haasan's Partners:

Haasan’s love life has been quite dramatic as at the age of 24, in 1978, Kamal Haasan married dancer Vani Ganapathy. Ganapathy acted with Haasan in the 1975 movie Melnaattu Marumagal and after a 10-year-long relationship, the couple separated in 1988. Following this, Haasan and actress, Sarika fell in love and started living together in 1988. They married after their first child, Shruti Haasan, was born in 1986.

Shruti and Akshara, two strong pillars of Kamal Hasaan?

Shruti Haasan, the first daughter of Kamal Hasaan and Sarika, is a well-known actress and singer in the Tollywood-Kollywood industry. She has also acted in Bollywood films like Gabbar is Back (2015) and Rocky Handsome (2016). After Shruti delivered a few hits in Tollywood and Bollywood. Haasan’s younger daughter Akshara Haasan made her debut in Bollywood with Amitabh Bachchan in Shamitabh in 2015.?

Kamal Haasan’s family reunited in 2021 in Chennai when Suhasini Maniratnam (who is Charuhasan’s daughter and Mani Ratnam’s wife) posted a family picture on Instagram and wrote:

"Going back home to the family house in eldams road. All the bright Hasans (sic)."

Haasan family tree is a testament to a legacy steeped in culture

Haasan's family tree is proof of creativity and artistic excellence that reflects the essence of Kamal Haasan's journey. His lineage, rich with filmmakers, actors and musicians, indicates a deep-rooted connection to the arts.

Soon he will be seen on the big screen in his much-awaited upcoming release of Tamil action drama directed by Mani Ratnam, Thug Life (2004 film).

Let us know in the Comments section if you are excited to watch it.?