Legendary, iconic, versatile, multi-talented.
Mere words fail to encompass the unparalleled multitude of talents of this prolific Indian actor! Kamal Haasan is most definitely the original superstar of Indian Cinema, and his long list of super-hit films serves as testimony to the fact that true talent is timeless! This is why Kamal Haasan’s countless fans across the globe affectionately refer to him as Ulaga Nayagan, meaning the World’s Superstar. The depth of his versatility is immeasurable. Kamal Haasan has acted in over 230 movies in his career spanning over six decades, and the acting prowess showcased by each role is distinctly memorable.
Due to the sheer magnitude of films made by this thespian, it is very tough to pick the ten best films from Kamal Haasan’s filmography. However, Top 10s Only has narrowed it down a little. We bring you the Top 10 Best Movies of Kamal Haasan In Multiple Roles! Yes, these are the movies that required Kamal Haasan to prove his mettle as an actor by donning multiple roles in a film. From the standard double role, Kamal Haasan has even portrayed as many as ten diverse roles in his films! This is by no means a simple feat!
Actor Kamal Haasan dons several hats, and he pulls it off quite well! Besides being an accomplished actor, Kamal Haasan has also directed, produced and written movies. He is also well known for his melodic vocals and intense interest in music. Recently, he even made a successful foray into politics by launching his own political party.
Top 10 Best Movies of Kamal Haasan In Multiple Roles
Kamal Haasan is a multi-faceted actor and a very rare talent to find in the highly competitive film industry. His contribution to Indian cinema is highly commendable, bringing him both national and international awards. The star has been bestowed with several awards for his achievement in the film industry. The most notable ones among them are the Padma Shri (awarded in 1990), Padma Bhushan (awarded in 2014), Prix Henri-Langlois French Award (granted in 2016) and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier) (conferred in 2016). He also has the distinction of winning the Rashtrapati Award (The President’s gold medal) at the young age of six for his exceptional performance as Selvam in his debut film Kalathur Kannamma.
Top 10s Only presents a carefully curated Kamal Haasan multi-role movies list featuring the Top Ten best Kamal Haasan multiple-role movies that have found an indelible spot in the hearts of movie buffs everywhere.
Here are the Top 10 Best Kamal Haasan Multiple Role Movies in chronological order:
1. Kalyanaraman (1979) /Japanil Kalyanaraman (1985)
2. Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey (1983)
3. Enakkul Oruvan (1984)
4. Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985)
5. Punnagai Mannan (1986)
6. Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989)
7. Indrudu Chandrudu (1989)
8. Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990)
9. Indian (1996)
10. Dasavathaaram (2008)
1. Kalyanaraman (1979) / Japanil Kalyanaraman (1985)
Kalyanaraman, released in the year 1979, was one of the earliest commercial successes in the star’s career. One of Kamal Haasan’s best dual role movies, he plays Kalyanam and Raman in this supernatural comedy film. Kalyanaraman was written by popular Tamil film writer and producer Panchu Arunachalam and directed by G.N. Rangarajan. Kalyanaraman starred Sridevi as the female lead, along with veteran actors Major Sundarrajan, Manorama, etc., in the supporting roles. This is one of the best, highly entertaining Kamal Haasan and Sridevi movies of all time!
Following the massive success of Kalyanaraman, its sequel was made as Japanil Kalayanaraman and released in the year 1985 with Radha playing the lead heroine. Actors Sathyaraj and Kovai Sarala were roped in to play supporting roles in Japanil Kalyanaraman. This Kamal Haasan double-role comedy film was directed by S.P. Muthuraman and written by Panchu Arunachalam. In fact, Panchu Arunachalam produced both these films under his banner PA Art Productions. Music for both films was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
These two films make it into the Kamal Haasan dual-role movies list for a number of reasons. Kalyanaraman established the comedy–horror genre in the Tamil film industry, and its success prompted it to be remade in Hindi as Ghazab and in Kannada as Sriramachandra. Japanil Kalayanaraman is believed to be the first sequel film in Tamil cinema and was shot entirely in Japan.
2. Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey (1983)
Once again, the director-writer pair S. P. Muthuraman and Panchu Arunachalam came together to create yet another Kamal Haasan blockbuster movie! Released in 1983, Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey is easily one of Kamal Haasan’s best movies in a dual role.
Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey has Kamal Haasan playing the dual roles of Gopi and Vinod, who were paired up with lead actors Radha and Sulakshana. The film was such a massive box office hit that it completed a 275-day run at the theatres. All the songs in this Kamal Haasan multi-role film, penned by Vaali and composed by Ilayaraja, were chartbusters. One of the songs in this film, Varudhu Varudhu, became a viral hit recently when it was rewritten and used to promote awareness about the Covid-19 pandemic.
3. Enakkul Oruvan (1984)
Enakkul Oruvan is one double-role film that will be a personal favourite for many movie buffs. Directed by S. P. Muthuraman and produced by his mentor K. Balachander’s Kavithalayaa Productions, this is one of those Kamal Haasan old love and action movies with a very different storyline, as it traverses the mysterious past life of the main character. Kamal plays the reincarnated hero Madan and then, when the story shifts to Darjeeling, he recollects his past life in which he lived as Upendra.
Shobana played Madan’s ladylove in this film, while his pair for the Upendra role was portrayed by Sripriya. This film marked versatile actor Shobana’s debut in the Tamil film industry. Actor Sathyaraj played the villainous role of Rajadurai in Enakkul Oruvan.
4. Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985)
Kamal Haasan’s multiple-role filmography is incomplete without a mention of this super-hit film, which was also one of the best Bharathiraja and Kamal Haasan movies ever made. Directed by veteran director Bharathiraja, who had also penned the screenplay, Oru Kaidhiyin Diary’s story was written by thespian K. Bhagyaraj. Bhagyaraj went on to direct the Hindi version of Oru Kaidhiyin Diary as Aakhree Raasta, with Amitabh Bachchan essaying Kamal’s role, and actors Jaya Prada and Sridevi playing the female leads.
In one of the best Kamal Haasan double action movies, he played the wrongfully imprisoned David and his son, the upright police officer, James, who was renamed Shankar by his foster father. Actors Revathi (Sharadha) and Radha (Rosy) were the principal female characters in this film. Actors Janagaraj and Malaysia Vasudevan took on pivotal roles in this film. Head to Amazon Prime to add this Kamal Haasan double-role movies list in Tamil.
5. Punnagai Mannan (1986)
Are you a fan of K. Balachander and Kamal Haasan movies? For Punnagai Mannan, Kamal Haasan teamed up with his mentor K. Balachander and created a timeless classic. The film was written and directed by K. Balachander and produced under his home banner Kavithalayaa Productions. Kamal Haasan played the dual roles of Sethu and “Chaplin” Chellapa. “Chaplin” Chellapa is a unique role in Kamal Haasan’s career as he imitates the legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin in the film. Punnagai Mannan was a silver jubilee hit, having an excellent 25-week run in the theatres.
Punnagai Mannan stars Kamal Haasan and Revathi in the lead roles. Actors Rekha, Srividya, Delhi Ganesh, etc., portray supporting roles in this romantic film. This is one of the best Kamal Haasan movies in Amazon Prime.
6. Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989)
This Kamal Haasan twin brother movie is a must-watch as it contains some of the best visual effects of that time!
The plot of Apoorva Sagodharargal revolves around the twins Raju and Appu, who get separated at birth. Kamal Haasan as Appu portrays a very unique character that only a few actors could manage to pull off with such ease and expertise. He played the character of Appu, a circus performer afflicted with Dwarfism, and to this day audiences are still perplexed as to how he managed to do it.
Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, the film had Gautami playing the female protagonist. Manorama, Srividya, Nassar, Delhi Ganesh and Crazy Mohan play the other roles in this highly entertaining Kamal Haasan film.
Apoorva Sagodharargal requires special in the Kamal Haasan double role movies list as it was produced by Kamal Haasan’s production house Raaj Kamal Films International. For his performance in Apoorva Sagodharargal, Kamal Haasan won the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Best Actor, as well as the Filmfare Awards for Best Producer (South).
7. Indrudu Chandrudu (1989)
A definite addition to the list of top double-role Kamal Haasan movies is the Telugu film Indrudu Chandrudu. Kamal Haasan played the dual roles of Mayor G. K. Rayudu and his doppelganger Chandram in this black comedy movie, which was directed by Suresh Krissna. This is one of Kamal Haasan’s double role movies that went on to fetch him the prestigious Nandi Awards and Filmfare Awards South for Best Actor.
The film starred Lady Superstar Vijayashanti as one of the principal characters, with actor Srividya taking on the pivotal role of the dead mayor’s wife. Actors Charan Raj, Crazy Mohan, Nagesh, and P. L. Narayana essayed important roles in this Kamal Haasan Telugu film. Indrudu Chandrudu must certainly make it to your Kamal Haasan double-role movies list in Telugu!
8. Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990)
Crazy Mohan and Kamal Haasan movies have always maintained a large fan following over the years! One of the biggest commercial successes in Kamal Haasan’s career, Michael Madana Kama Rajan, has him showcase an exceptional performance by playing four diverse roles with matchless perfection – a counterfeit money racket ringleader called Michael, an heir to a business empire Madanagopal, a vegetarian cook hired for weddings Kameshwaran and a brave firefighter Subramaniam Raju.
Directed by the veteran Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, this Kamal Haasan 4 roles movie has three top heroines – Urvashi, Rupini and Khushbu – pairing up with three of the titular characters portrayed by Kamal Haasan. Undoubtedly, Michael Madana Kama Rajan is one of Kamal Haasan’s best comedy movies. The film completed 175 days at the box office, making it a super duper hit.
9. Indian (1996)
Indian is one of Kamal Haasan’s most famous movies in his career. The film was appreciated for Kamal Haasan’s role as a 70-year-old freedom fighter who turned into a vigilante known as Senapathy/Indian. His make-up as an aged person, replete with deep wrinkles, received acclaim from all quarters. He also appeared as the younger version of Chandru.
Directed by S. Shankar, Indian was produced by A. M. Rathnam. Sukanya, Manisha Koirala and Urmila Matondkar played the female leads in this film. Late actor Nedumudi Venu portrayed the memorable role of Inspector Krishnasamy in this film. Indian was a commercial success, and its Hindi and Telugu dubbed versions also turned out to be box-office hits.
The film Indian considerably added to the total number of awards won by actor Kamal Haasan. His acting prowess got him the National Film Award, Tamil Nadu State Film Award, Filmfare Award South, and Cinema Express Award.
Indian 2, Kamal Haasan’s upcoming film, is the sequel of this film, in which he reprises the role of Senapathy.
10. Dasavathaaram (2008)
Dasavathaaram, Kamal Haasan’s latest movie in the multiple-role category, is undoubtedly one of the most noteworthy of Kamal Haasan’s hit movies. This is a film that none can beat in the near future. Kamal Haasan broke all barriers in the realm of filmmaking by playing 10 distinct roles in the film, and interestingly, he also appeared as the former American President George W. Bush. He is also credited with writing the storyline for Dasavathaaram.
In Dasavathaaram, Kamal Haasan’s roles are: Rangarajan Ramanuja Nambi (12th century Vishnu devotee killed by the Cholas), Balram Naidu (RAW Agent), Krishnaveni Paati (elderly Iyengar lady), Govindarajan Ramaswamy (NRI bio-weapon designer), Vincent Poovaraghan (social crusader), Khalifulla Khan (7-feet-tall Tamil Muslim), Avatar Singh (Punjabi rap artist), Shingen Narahazi (martial arts specialist), Christian Fletcher (villainous ex CIA agent), and George W. Bush (former USA President).
K. S. Ravikumar directed Dasavathaaram, and V. Ravichandran produced it. Asin also appeared in dual roles in this film as Kodhai and Andal. If you are a fan of Jayaprada and Kamal Haasan movies, watch this as she portrays a pivotal role as Ranjita Kaur! One of the best Kamal Haasan multi-role movies, the film won the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards under several categories, with Kamal bagging the Best Actor Award.
Kamal Haasan made it to the film industry as a child artiste in the 1960s and has teamed up with thespians like Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan, and his contemporaries include film icons Rajinikanth, Sathyaraj, Prabhu, etc. Apart from acting in umpteen films, Kamal Haasan has been engaged in the production and direction of films, as well as music composing and singing.
Kamal Haasan is legendary for his versatility and talent. We have picked up only a handful of his films in this category. If you have any personal favourites that have missed out on this space, do let us know in the comments section.
Still looking for interesting films from legendary artists? Then look no further than this article we recently posted regarding the Top 10 Best Amitabh Bachchan Movies!
Super top 10 ❤️
Sattam en Kaiyil is a Good Dual action file of Kamala Hazzan:/// Go for it❤
Thank You for your insight. Kamal Haasan has done so many roles and movies. Some very good ones especially in the action genre. Sattam yen kayil is one of those. Remember it more for “Sorgam Madhuviley” in SPB’s voice…
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