Happy Birthday Kamal Haasan! A look at his best films

Actor, director, producer, and singer Kamal Haasan celebrates his 70th birthday on Nov 7. He has appeared in over 230 films, with his next film 'Thug Life', to be released in 2025. Here are ten must-watch Kamal Haasan films:

Gunaa (1991)

This Santhana Bharathi directional is a psychological romance where Guna (Haasan), a mentally challenged man, kidnaps a woman, Rohini (Roshini), from a temple, assuming she is his future wife

Nayakan (1987)

Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film follows the story of Velu (Haasan), who is on the run after killing the officer responsible for his father's murder. He reaches Mumbai where he becomes a don. The film won three National Film Awards

Anbe Sivam (2003)

Two strangers, Nalla (Haasan) and Aras (R. Madhavan) are stranded at the airport. Both are heading to Chennai – Aras, for his wedding, and Nalla, to deliver a cheque. Both are forced to find another way to Chennai, and on their journey, develop an unexpected bond

Indian (1996)

Directed by S. Shankar, Haasan dons a dual role, playing Senapathy, a retired Indian freedom fighter, and Chandru, his son who is a corrupt broker in Chennai. The film won three National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards

Avvai Shanmugi (1996)

Inspired by American film 'Mrs Doubtfire', the film follow Panday, a divorcee, whose child is under the custody of his ex-wife. In order to spend more time with her, he disguises as her nanny under the alias "Avvai Shanmugi"

Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989)

Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, the film follows the story of twin brothers seperated at birth. One of the twins, Raja, is a mechanic, while the other, Appu, a dwarf, works at the circus. Raja wants to avenge the murder of his father and mistakenly suspects Appu as a culprit

Moondram Pirai (1982)

Bhagyalakshmi (Sreedevi) suffers a head injury in a car accident, after which she starts behaving life a child. She is forced into a brothel, where Cheenu (Haasan) pities her and takes responsibility to protect her. The film won two National Film Awards and one Filmfare Award

Hey Ram (2000)

Set during the time of the India-Pakistan partition, Saket Ram (Haasan), is angered by the rape and murder of his wife Aparna (Rani Mukerji) and blames Mahatma Gandhi (Naseeruddin Shah) for her death because he advocates peace with Muslims. The film won three National Film Awards

Mahanadhi (1994)

This Tamil film follows the life of Krishna (Haasan), a widower, who is imprisoned after being cheated into a chit fund. He faces a tough time in prison while his family goes through its own issues. The film bagged two National Film Awards

Thevar Magan (1992)

After completing his education in London, Sakthi (Haasan) comes back to Tamil Nadu, hoping to open a chain of restaurants in Madras. This disappoints his father Periyasamy (Sivaji Ganesan), who hoped he would stay back and help the villagers. The film won five National Film Awards