Happy Birthday Kamal Haasan: Legendary Telugu films of the legendary actor

Kamal Haasan is an actor par excellence and has been appreciated on many large platforms for his immense talent. Kamal is today one of the groundbreaking and talented actors in the Indian film industry and has risen to fame because of his performance-oriented roles. Although his films are critical and commercial success in Telugu, he never hesitates to pursue films that are off-beat. Even the films that had off-beat subjects turned out to be box office hits. However, from then on, Kamal has worked in some great films in which he has portrayed some spectacular roles.

On his 64th birthday today, we take a look his straight Telugu films, where his performances left us awestruck.

One of the most memorable roles played by Kamal was that of an economically disadvantaged yet multi-talented dancer in Balakrishna K Viswanath directorial ‘Sagara Sangamam’. Considered one of the classic films in Telugu cinema even today, the movie saw a potential dancer in Kamal Haasan and his dancing skills were appreciated by many. With music by legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja, the film went on to be one of the biggest critical success in the actor’s career and Kamal won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

K Viswanath and Kamal Haasan have teamed up again for this classic, which impressed the critics. Yet again, his performance as an autistic person Sivayya was one of the talking points, as the movie gained huge success. Radhika was seen romancing Kamal in the film and she was also applauded for her portrayal as a young widow Lalitha. After this film, Kamal got plenty of offers in Tollywood but, he reportedly preferred to act in his mother tongue Tamil. However, at times, the actor expresses his willingness to work in Telugu.

In the same year, Kamal collaborated with the successful director A Kodandarami Reddy for the comedy-drama ‘Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu’, which was based on the novel of the same by Yandamoori Veerendranath. Though this was not a dual role, his stellar performance as Murali Krishna and Hari Krishna is still etched in our minds. The way he pulled off the role was remarkable and his conversation with Rao Gopal Rao was inarguably hilarious! The maestro Ilaiyaraaja gave a great soundtrack to the film.

Kamal landed the dual roles of Mayor GK Rayudu and Chandram in the film directed by Suresh Krishna. The movie, based on a short story by Charles G Booth called Caviar for His Excellency, was bankrolled by D Rama Naidu under his home banner Suresh Productions. Kamal essayed the role of a corrupt Mayor GK Rayudu, elevating the film to a huge commercial success. The audience connected with the character not only because of his appearance but his hilarious performance.

It was refreshing to watch the actor display his devotee avatar in the role of a young fisherman Rayudu. He won millions of hearts with his heartwarming performance. He was the only one who could have pulled off such an intense role. Directed by K Viswanath, the film received three Filmfare awards and five Nandi Awards. Interestingly, the film is produced by the famous singer SP Balasubrahmanyam under the banner of Sri Kodandapani Film Circuit.

This Chakri Toleti directorial failed to work at the box office but the audience lauded Kamal Haasan’s performance in the film. Victory Venkatesh has shared screen space with Kamal in the film. Despite the towering presence of a superstar like Kamal in the film, Venaktesh managed to hold his own as a police officer who tries to catch criminals. Kamal convincingly pulled off the role of a stranger who gives hints to police to catch culprits. Kamal managed to act and shine the light of his demeanour in an otherwise dull screenplay.