Haasan made his film debut when he was just 6, in 1960. The film Kalathur Kannamma had him share space with veteran Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan, and Haasan's performance won him a National Award for Best Child Artist.

Following a nine-year hiatus, he returned as a supporting actor in a number of low-budget films. The breakthrough with a performance in 1975's Apoorva Raagangal. By the time Mani Ratnam's Nayagan hit screens in 1987, Haasan was a certified superstar.

Haasan and Sridevi made a great on-screen couple, with films like Varumayin Niram Sigappu and Guru as proof.

Haasan also made cameos with another South cinema superstar, Rajinikanth. His first Hindi film, Ek Duuje Ke Liye, was a massive hit. He was also a part of Geraftaar, which flopped, but brought together on screen Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth and Haasan -- an enviable coup.

Following Dasavathaaram, Haasan is currently working on Marmayogi, set in the seventh century and reportedly featuring several major stars. He may also complete his epic Marudhanayagam, which has been in the pipeline for too long.

Interestingly, Haasan has the distinction of being the actor with the most number of films submitted by India for the Oscars, in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

Text: Preetee Brahmbhatt

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