Once Upon a Time, There Lived a Ghost… And He’s Not a Myth Anymore!
Ulaga Naayagan Kamal Haasan – the encyclopedia of Tamil cinema – has given so much to the industry by bringing international standards to Tamil films. He has played a key role in shaping the artistic taste of Tamil cinema audiences by introducing them to high-quality, experimental, and artistic movies.
From his brilliant filmography, picking the Top 15 Kamal Haasan movies is like finding a needle in a haystack. But I’ve put together a list of some of his most iconic and unforgettable films.
Here We Go!
Top 20 best kamal haasan movies
Naayakan
As a child, watching this movie on a free cable channel, I was completely drawn into it without even realizing it. Years later, when I rewatched it, it still felt just as captivating. Maniratnam and Kamal Haasan delivered peak cinema with Nayakan, which remains one of the best Kamal Haasan movies of all time.
Nayakan is based on the real-life story of Varadharajan Mudhaliyar, an underworld don in Mumbai who was seen as a Robin Hood-like figure to the oppressed.
You can watch Nayakan on Amazon Prime Video
Hey Ram
Hey Ram is one of the most underrated Kamal Haasan movies, initially rejected by the audience upon its release due to the heavy usage of English dialogues and its disconnect with the trends of that time. However, like many other Kamal films, it gained appreciation years later and is now considered one of the best cult classics of Tamil cinema.
The film is set against the backdrop of the communal violence in Bengal in 1946, also known as Direct Action Day. After facing an unbearable personal loss, Saket Ram (Kamal Haasan) joins a right-wing Hindu extremist group as part of a plot to assassinate Gandhi.
You can watch Hey Ram on Amazon Prime Video and on Youtube for Free
Virumaandi
A Kamal Haasan directorial – and that goes without saying, this movie is definitely a classic. Kamal Haasan uses the Rashomon style of storytelling in this film, where the same story is told from different perspectives.
What begins with everyone eyeing Virumandi’s land eventually leads to the murder of 24 people, resulting in Virumandi and Kothala Devar being convicted and sentenced to death.
Angela Marimuthu, a journalist, is interviewing prisoners serving life sentences and awaiting the death penalty as part of her thesis against capital punishment. Through her interviews with both Kothala and Virumandi, she uncovers two contrasting versions of the same event, pushing her to seek the truth.
You can watch Virumandi on Amazon Prime Video
Mahanadhi
One of the most hard-hitting movies I have ever seen. It starts with a happy family living in their native village but takes a turn when they move to the metro city, which changes their lives forever.
Krishnaswamy, a widower, lives a peaceful life with his daughter, son, and mother-in-law. However, he is conned by a scamster who persuades him to become a partner in his chit fund company and convinces him to move to Chennai (then known as Madras), which turns his life upside down.
You can watch Mahanadhi in Youtube
Panchathanthiram
Comedy is serious business, and the Kamal Haasan and Crazy Mohan combo takes it very seriously.
Released in 2002, this is one of the best Tamil comedy movies of all time. It’s the kind of movie you can watch every single time it’s telecast on TV and still laugh like hell.
Ram’s life is constantly shuffled by his four close friends, which even drives Maithili, Ram’s wife, to leave him. However, in their attempt to cheer Ram up, his friends end up creating even more chaos.
Watch Panchathanthiram on Sun Nxt
Anbe Sivam
Tamil audiences failed this movie when it was released in theatres. With a screenplay by Kamal Haasan and directed by Sundar C, it turned out to be a massive flop, but over time, it became a cult classic and will always be remembered as one of the greatest movies ever made in Tamil.
Aras, an ad filmmaker, is stranded in Bhubaneswar due to a cyclone and is forcefully made to accompany Nalla. However, by the end, Nalla changes Aras’s life forever.
Watch Anbe Sivam on Amazon Prime Video
Vishwaroopam 1
Vishwaroopam 1 was released after so many issues, which ironically helped with the movie’s marketing.
Nirupama lives in America with her husband, Vishwanathan. She is also having an affair with her boss. To gather information on Vishwanathan, she hires a private detective with the intention of filing for divorce. However, the investigation leads to shocking revelations about Vishwanathan’s true identity.
Watch Vishwaroopam 1 on Jio hotstar for free
Papanasam
Kamal Haasan never fails to take a remake and make it even better than the original. There’s still an ongoing debate—Drishyam or Papanasam, which is better? But in my opinion, Papanasam is a clear winner.
Suyambu Lingam, a typical middle-aged family man, lives with his wife and two daughters in Papanasam. He ends up doing something extraordinary to save his family from a sudden mishap that changes their lives forever.
Watch Papanasam on Sun Nxt
Uttama Villain
A box office bomb, but it has some scenes that are sure to gain cult status in the coming years.
Manoranjan, a Tamil film superstar, is diagnosed with a brain tumor. He wishes to make his last movie with his mentor Margadarsi, while reminiscing about his life along the way.
Watch Uttama Villain on ZEE 5 for free and on Youtube for Free
UnnaiPol Oruvan
An official remake of the Hindi superhit A Wednesday, this is a story that unfolds over a single day.
An anonymous caller contacts the Commissioner of Police in Chennai and informs him that he has planted five bombs across the city. He demands the release of four terrorists. However, by the end, the reason behind the caller’s actions shocks everyone.
Vasool Raja MBBS
Kamal Haasan and Crazy Mohan’s crazy combo delivered another masterpiece with this remake of Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
Rajaram a.k.a. Vasool Raja enrolls himself in a medical college to fulfill his father’s dream and to take revenge on Vishwanathan, the father of Janaki, Vasool Raja’s love interest. But his funny ways soon become a menace to the college management.
Watch Vasool Raja MBBS on SUN NXT
Vettaiyadu Vilayadu
A fanboy sambavam (event) from Gautham Vasudev Menon for his inspiration, Kamal Haasan.
Raghavan goes on a mission to catch two serial killers who have been targeting young women and killing them. During the course of the investigation, Raghavan faces a heavy personal toll because of the case.
Watch Vettaiyadu Vilayadu on SUN NXT
Avvai Shanmugi
Yet another time, Kamal Haasan and Crazy Mohan delivered a blockbuster, this time inspired by Mrs. Doubtfire.
Pandian, a dance composer, marries Janaki, against the wishes of her father who is a wealthy businessman. But life hits hard after marriage — Janaki files for divorce, gets it, and also gains custody of their daughter, Bharati.
Missing his little girl so much, whom he deeply loves, Pandian plans to go to Janaki’s home — not as himself, but as Avvai Shanmugi.
Watch Avvai Shanmugi on Amazon PrimeVideo
Thevar Magan
A controversial movie — some say it glorifies casteism — but at its core, it delivers one powerful message: education. The story is written by Kamal Haasan.
Sakthi returns to his village after completing his studies in London. His father, Periyasamy Thevar, is disappointed as Sakthi wants to move to Chennai (then Madras) to start a chain of restaurants instead of succeeding him. But fate pushes his life in a direction he never wanted.
Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu
K. Balachander’s magic shines yet again with his student Kamal Haasan in Varumayin Niram Sivappu, a film that won the State Award for Best Movie.
Rangan, an unemployed Tamil youth in Delhi, faces countless struggles due to his straightforward nature. Despite his qualifications, he isn’t selected for any job because of his honesty. One day, he stumbles upon the man who once conned him and chases him to his
house—only to meet his daughter, Devi. After seeing Devi…well watch this on Amazon Prime Video to Know more.
Watch Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu on Amazon Prime video and on Youtube for Free
Special Mentions – Kamal Haasan’s Gems That Deserve a Shoutout
Alavandhan
A bold, experimental psychological thriller where Kamal Haasan played dual roles—this film was way ahead of its time in terms of storytelling, visuals, and action choreography. Became a box office Bomb
Watch Aalavandhan on Amazon Prime Video
Kuruthipunal
An intense action drama that revolves around an honest police officer caught between duty and betrayal.
Indian
A powerful vigilante film where Kamal plays both father and son. As Senapathy, the freedom fighter-turned-vigilante, he delivers one of his career-best performances, with Shankar’s direction and ARR’s music adding magic.
Watch Indian on Amazon Prime Video
Sathya
A strong political crime drama where Kamal plays a fiery young man fighting for justice in a corrupt system. Inspired by Arjun (Telugu), it still feels relevant even today.
Raja Paarvai
Kamal’s 100th film and his first attempt at bringing a different kind of Romantic movie to Tamil cinema. He played a visually challenged musician, and the film was known for its ahead-of-time cinematography.
Sigappu Rojakkal
A dark psychological thriller in which Kamal plays a disturbed serial killer. One of his most daring roles early in his career, showing his fearless approach to cinema even back then.Watch Sigappu Rojakkal in Aha for Free
Conclusion
From comedy to thriller, Kamal Haasan has done it all with full heart. His movies are not just for entertainment, they make us feel and think. If you love good cinema, these are must-watch films for your weekend list from Weekend Watcher
