Lesser-known facts of Kamal Hassan: From inspiring Quentin Tarantino to becoming the first actor to receive Rs 1 crore remuneration

Kamal Haasan, a name synonymous with versatility and innovation in Indian cinema, is an icon whose contributions extend far beyond his celebrated acting career. While his on-screen charisma and transformative performances are widely acknowledged, several lesser-known facets of his life and career offer a deeper appreciation for his multifaceted genius and enduring impact on the industry.

Kamal Haasan began his acting career very early, at the age of six, in the 1960 Tamil film Kalathur Kannamma. A report from Hindustan Times confirms that he won the prestigious President's Gold Medal for his performance as an orphaned child in this debut role.

The 1981 blockbuster 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' was significant as it marked Kamal Haasan's successful foray into Hindi cinema and is considered to have bridged the gap between the North and South Indian film industries. ABP Live reported that despite initial skepticism from Bombay distributors, the film became a massive hit, running for fifty weeks in theaters. He played a pivotal role in building a connection between the two industries and should be credited for the bonding between the Indian Industry in today's times.

Kamal Haasan holds a unique distinction in Indian cinema for having the highest number of films featuring him submitted by India for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards, with a total of seven films. These submissions span various genres and showcase his remarkable versatility as an actor across different eras of Indian filmmaking. The films include Saagar (1985), Swathi Muthyam (1986), Nayakan (1987), Thevar Magan (1992), Kuruthipunal (1995), Indian (1996), and Hey Ram (2000). While none of these films ultimately secured a nomination in the final shortlist, this record highlights Kamal Haasan's consistent presence in films recognized for their artistic merit and potential to represent India on a global platform. This achievement underscores his significant contribution to Indian cinema and its recognition on an international level.

Kamal Haasan's 1987 silent comedy, Pushpak (also known as Pushpaka Vimana), stands as a unique and groundbreaking cinematic endeavor in India, drawing inspiration from the legendary Charlie Chaplin's mastery of visual storytelling. This wordless film, devoid of any dialogue, relied entirely on the actors' expressions, physical comedy, and the evocative background score to convey its narrative. Interestingly, to facilitate its release and reach a diverse linguistic audience across India, Pushpak underwent certification multiple times within the same year by the censor board, each time bearing a different title corresponding to the various regional languages. This unusual approach highlights the film's attempt to transcend language barriers through its purely visual storytelling and connect with audiences nationwide.

Beyond his extensive filmography in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada, Kamal Haasan reportedly possesses fluency in several other languages, notably Bengali and French. This multilingual ability underscores his keen interest in and aptitude for diverse cultures and forms of communication. Furthermore, his career includes a notable six films that were produced and filmed in multiple languages simultaneously. This demonstrates his early recognition of the potential for wider reach and appeal across different linguistic regions in India, showcasing his innovative approach to filmmaking and connecting with a broader audience.

According to Hindustan Times, in 1994, Kamal Haasan achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first South Indian actor to command a remuneration of ₹1 crore for a single film. This marked a new era in South Indian cinema's financial landscape, elevating the earning potential of its leading actors. This achievement underscores Kamal Haasan's immense popularity and box office appeal during that period, setting a precedent for future remunerations in the industry. It solidified his position not only as a versatile performer but also as a commercially valuable star in the South Indian film market.

As reported by Hindustan Times and The Hans India, the action sequences in Kamal Haasan's 2001 film Aalavandhan (the Hindi remake of the Tamil film) reportedly served as a source of inspiration for renowned Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino. Specifically, Tarantino was so impressed by the innovative and stylized violence depicted in Aalavandhan that he drew upon it when crafting an action sequence for his critically acclaimed 2003 film, Kill Bill: Volume 1. This acknowledgment, though often cited, highlights the global reach and unexpected influence that Indian cinema can have on international filmmakers, showcasing a unique instance of cross-cultural cinematic inspiration.