10 Best Kamal Hassan Films of all time

Why Kollywood Fans Love Kamal Haasan

The moment somebody mentions “Kamal Haasan”, half the time we remember an eccentric cop, a passionate lover or a comical master of disguise! Kamal is that unicorn of an actor who’s lived so many lives on screen, he feels like he’s been a member of every household in Tamil Nadu. His work spans five decades, each one glorious in its classics, emotional dramas, rib-tickling comedies and some movies that are just game changers in Tamil cinema to set an example.

Whether you watched him in black and white when you were a child or saw his latest “Vikram” at multiplexes, Kamal’s films have always had a knack of making an entry into our daily chit-chat and familial debates. Here is a warm and enjoyable trip down memory lane into the 10 best Tamil films of Kamal Haasan.

10 Best Kamal Hassan Films of all time

1) Nayakan (1987)

Walk into any tea shop in Chennai and start talking about “Nayakan” (Hero), and people’s faces light up with glow. This is a film that didn’t just win awards, it won hearts! Helmed by Mani Ratnam, “Nayakan” is a loose interpretation of the life of Mumbai’s don Varadarajan Mudaliar, but really it’s about Velu Nayakara. One shaped like Michael Corleone, albeit with a madrasy twist.

From smoky gullies of Mumbai’s underworld to tender consistent moments with his daughter, Kamal as Velu was just… raw magic. And do you remember the scene where he’s questioning his grandson: “Neenga nallavara kettavara?” That’ s a lot of life to be contained in roughly. You can’t take your eyes off the film, thanks partly to its raw locations, Ilaiyaraaja’s haunting background score and the manner in which Kamal narrates a journey from a devastated youngster to an old, wearied leader.

What’s marvellous is Kamal the actor. He slips into the skin of Velu so naturally. A single glance, a half-smile, a pained sigh, the man says so much even when he says nothing. Factor in great performances from Saranya and Janagaraj, as well as a story that never lets you relax, “Nayakan” isn’t just a film. It’s a feeling for all the Kamal fans, and an unforgettable chapter in Indian cinema.”

2) Moondram Pirai (1982)

Be honest: Exactly how many times have you gotten at least a little misty-eyed during that railway-station climax? “Moondram Pirai” is the sort of film that clings to you, never leaving your heart. Kamal stars as Sreenivasan, a man living on his own who looks after Viji (Sridevi), a young woman with amnesia, in the manner of his own child. What’s sweet about this isn’t just the lovey-dovey aspect, but the purest, most innocent form of unconditional love.

The movie will make you laugh, smile and ache. With his subdued style and poignant vulnerability, Kamal is the one who really carries the entire film on his shoulders. The chemistry with Sridevi is so natural, so real that you don’t realise two superstars are romancing each other. The way he looks at her, takes care of her and then lets her go in that achingly iconic final scene: if you don’t feel it, you may want to make sure your heart is actually beating!

Courtesy Balu Mahendra’s taking, Ilaiyaraaja’s soulful songs and natural performances, everything comes together. Moondram Pirai It’s not just a love story, but a reminder of how letting go sometimes may be the greatest expression of love and And Kamal once more proves that Acting is never about drama, it’s all about Honesty.

3) Thevar Magan (1992)

Walk into any rural part of Tamil Nadu, say “Thevar Magan,” and see the villagers narrate entire scenes with dignity. That’s Kamal as Sakthivel, who is caught between his city upbringing and his royal, feudal past in the story of tradition, ego and sacrifice. Sivaji Ganesan is playing Kamal’s father and, what a treat. Two legends at their best in a single frame!

Kamal’s performance is so layered. At first, he’s the reluctant heir, a bit clueless, longing for modernity over tradition. But the way he processes when tragedy and responsibility come home to roost, it’s evidence as to why everyone ranks him among the very best. Those “Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi” moments still give me the chills! The feelings, the family relationships and attachments, the anger and pain all are conveyed not through just talks or fights but in those silences between Kamal and Sivaji.

This one is a treasure-trove of Tamil cinematic gold, with its powerful dialogues, pretty ecological setting and the divine Ilaiyaraaja score! It’s a master class in storytelling and acting at every turn. No wonder “Thevar Magan” went on to become a kind of template for rural dramas later.

4) Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990)

Now, who hasn’t laughed so hard they cried watching this one? Michael Madana Kama Rajan (Madras Talkies) Kamal-styled laughathons don’t get bigger than this one, where he pulls not 1, not 2 but four identical characters out of his pocket. There's Michael the cook, Madan the businessman, Kameshwaran the cook and middle-aged Raju the fireman. For a good time in any Tamil home, this is the go-to film.

It’s brilliantly funny in its comedic timing. Watch the “Cook-ku parotta, pasanga-ku porotta” scene in the kitchen with Kameshwaran, or that confused marriage. Those are vintage, timeless comedy gold. For each character, Kamal adds his own special punch, be it the lisp, slang or just sheer body language. He’s so good you go a long way forgetting it’s the same man in all these parts.

The brilliant screenplay by Crazy Mohan, direction by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and the wonderful supporting cast (Urvasi, Nagesh, Delhi Ganesh) make it a classic worth revisiting. Years roll by, memes evolve, but “Michael Madana Kama Rajan’s” humour is perpetually young. Mainly because Kamal allocates his 200% in every frame of the film.

5) Guna (1991)

“Abhirami... Abhirami!” To this day, the mention of that name sends shivers down most neutrals spines. Guna is a tale of an insane man worshipping the woman as a goddess. You won’t find a typical love story here. This film’s all heart and heartbreak.

The performance delivered by Kamal as Guna was such a raw display, with so much intensity that you could actually empathize with the character’s madness and naivety. There’s this famous cave sequence. Guna yearning for pure love, in contrast to the cold world outside, which doesn’t care. His body language, his eyes, the way he makes that pain poetry. Nobody else could have gotten away with it.

Even the songs (“Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan”) are so woven in to the tragic threads of Film. Yes, Roshini, as Abhirami and the rest, including all of my favorite Lalitha’s cousins perform along even flow, but it is Kamal who stands out. “Guna” may not have been a blockbuster when it was released, but now it’s a cult movie that fans worship and for which Kamal’s abject surrender to the role is praised.

6) Mahanadhi (1994)

If you believed that Kamal can only entertain or thrill you with his stunts, “Mahanadhi” will shatter your heart and perhaps, leave you sobbing for days. Here, Kamal is Krishnaswamy, an ordinary man whose life unravels following one terrible decision.

“Mahanadhi” is a roller-coaster of emotions, and it depicts the challenges and turmoil faced by a common man when pushed into extraordinary circumstances. Watch him in those scenes with his separation from Uma or the agony he undergoes in jail. Kamal inflicts a kind of pain onscreen that’s all too real. By the time he’s finally reconnected with his family, you’re not just relieved, you’re depleted.

The gritty locations, the slow-burn storytelling, Ilaiyaraaja’s ominous background score, and Kamal’s exceptional everyman act.All of it hits you in the gut. No surprise then that this film is a classic, and Kamal’s among the best performances of his career, reminding us how much with one character he can make us emote.

7) Anbe Sivam (2003)

Some movies make you think, some make you laugh, and occasionally one does both at once. “Anbe Sivam” nails it! Kamal epitomizes love for every human along with acceptance as Nallasivam, in juxtaposition to Madhavan’s snooty ad executive.

There is something warming about it, Nallasivam’s simple wisdom, his scarring inside and out, and his ability to crack a joke in the face of life’s worst messes. Scenes filmed on the bus, inside the train or one of those long-late-night talks - Kamal makes you pause, laugh and at times reach out for a tissue.

What’s most magical about “Anbe Sivam,” however, is in its moments of the everyday, in what it does with dialogue and the friendship that takes root. Kamal doesn’t perform, he just transforms into Nallasivam. You walk away with at least one life lesson. Films like these come only once in a while, and Kamal delivers it with heart and soul.

8) Indian (1996)

Ask anyone to name a movie on fighting corruption, and the visuals of Kamal as Senapathy tattooed, fierce-eyed and fiery is what will come up. “Indian” is S. Shankar’s Big Screen-y, masala-filled exposé about an aging freedom fighter turned vigilante who battles the system.

The dual roles: Senapathy, the pious old man, and Chandru, the cool young guy, allow Kamal to show off his enormous versatility. He’s just great at the action, drama, tension stuff. The make-up goffered to Kamal makes him look unrecognizable as Senapathy, but it’s the acting, those steely eyes and that ruthlessness in delivering justice which gets your goat!

The lyrics from Vairamuthu, Shankar’s opulent sets and the thrilling story are memorable on their own but it is Kamal who brings an everlasting quality to “Indian”. Old man moves included, the “Kappaleri Poyaachu” dance is what everyone can remember fresh and even dialogues are unforgettable.

9) Virumandi (2004)

When you’re in the mood for a movie that’s gritty, raw and violent and also deeply philosophical, “Virumandi” is your go-to pick. Kamal is the director and also plays rough headstrong village ruffian Virumandi. The movie is arranged in a “Rashomon” style with various narrators telling different versions of the truth.

Virumandi is not the kind of hero we’re used to. He’s rough, impulsive, flawed and so very human. The pastoral milieu, the blood feuds and the stirring dialogues (“Kadavul irundhalum kaanum!”) are gripping. What’s surprising, though, is the world building, the language is real, and you get a real sense of Tamil rural life.

For the violence, the dark humour, and the ethical dilemma around capital punishment,” “Virumandi” is an evergreen classic. Kamal is awesome as a director-actor.

10) Vishwaroopam (2013)

Now, for those of you who enjoy international spy thrillers but wish they had a masala Tamil twist, “Vishwaroopam” is your candy treat. Kamal’s dual role of the effeminate Kathak instructor and beast of an undercover agent is pure genius. The action sequences are world-class, and the story keeps twisting until you’re breathless.

The opening dance, the surprising makeovers and the action scenes featuring Afghanistan ups the ante of Tamil cinema here. You will watch a whole new Kamal: the hero, action choreographer and director. That it’s super impressive on a technical level cannot be denied but what makes it really special is how he roots the thrills in relatable emotions.

With the supporting cast (here, Rahul Bose as the villain), the international vibe and Kamal’s natural flair for both comedy and action, this one is a modern classic. It broke new ground in Tamil thrillers and proved yet again that Kamal is perpetually ten steps ahead of the game.

Conclusion

On each of those iconic Kamal films, there’s a family story, a fan moment, or just a plain conversation that endures either with a smile, in the pit of the belly or as a drop on the eyelid. Kamal Haasan is not merely an actor, but a friend at every stage of a Tamilian’s life, he effortlessly passes down from the favourite of one generation to that of two generations after it! The ten films above aren’t just cinema, they’re moments sown into the tapestry of our lives. If you haven’t seen any of these, well, you are missing stories that have made the Tamil film industry stand what it is today real and emotional and forever timeless.

So here we go with some handpicked favorites of mine. The next time you are bored and hitting up a film, just make your pick from these Kamal films and join the multitudes who’ve come back, year after year to keep watching “just one more” amongst his superlative cinema!