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CHENNAI: Veteran actor Kamal Haasan, a towering figure in Indian cinema, has requested that fans and the media refrain from calling him "Ulakanayakan", a title he has long been associated with. Kamal expressed that he wants to be known simply by his name, stating that art is greater than any individual artist. “You can call me Kamal Haasan.
Or Kamal or KH,” he said in a recent statement. “I believe that the artist is not greater than the art of cinema. I am just a student who wants to learn, know and grow within the realm of cinema.
" Celebrating his 70th birthday on November 7, Kamal Haasan was born in 1954 in a Tamil Iyengar family in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu. He made his acting debut at the young age of six in the film 'Kalathur Kannamma' (1959), for which he won the President's Gold Medal for Best Child Actor. His father, D.
Srinivasan, a criminal lawyer, was a strong supporter of his ambitions in cinema, while his mother Rajalakshmi and three siblings—brothers Charuhasan and Chandrahasan, and sister Nalini—formed a close-knit family. After completing his primary education in Paramakkudy, Kamal moved to Chennai for higher studies and later devoted himself fully to cinema. As a young actor, Kamal began his career assisting choreographer Thankappan Master before his breakout as a hero in the 1975 film 'Apoorva Raagangal', directed by K.
Balachander. This collaboration launched a professional partnership that produced over 40 films and elevated Kamal Haasan to stardom. Known for his versatility, he became a celebrated actor across multiple languages, delivering hits such as 'Kanyakumari' in Malayalam, 'Maro Charithra' in Telugu and the Bollywood classic 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' (1981).
Kamal Haasan’s illustrious career spans more than six decades, earning him numerous accolades, including four National Film Awards for Best Actor and 19 Filmfare Awards. He has been honored with prestigious titles such as the Kalaimamani, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, and in 2016, the French government awarded him the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres..
