Happy Birthday Kamal Haasan: 10 must know facts about 'Ulaganayagan'

As Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan celebrates his birthday, we take a moment to look back at lesser-known facts and his unparalleled achievements he has achieved in Indian cinema throughout his illustrious, six-decade-long career.

An extraordinary star who made waves right away, Kamal Haasan won the President's Medal for Best Child Actor for his very first film, Kalathur Kannamma. He was just four years old.

Though globally known as Kamal Haasan, not many know that his original name is Parthasarathy Srinivasan.

Kamal Haasan holds the record for India's most Oscar submissions. Seven films he was part of were chosen as the country's official entry for the Best International Feature Film Academy Award, most by an Indian actor.

Known for his visionary approach to acting, Kamal Haasan achieved a groundbreaking milestone in 2008 by playing ten unique roles in Dasavathaaram, a challenge that no other actor has dared to take to date.

Kamal Haasan is credited with advancing technology in Indian cinema. He was the first to use a computer for song recording in 1986’s Vikram and the first to introduce prosthetic make-up to the industry through the film Indian. Ever since then, he has played a key role in introducing many other technical advancements in Indian filmmaking.

Fondly called "one-man industry", Kamal Haasan is a true jack of all trades, excelling in acting, directing, producing, singing, writing and even editing.

One of the best movies of his career, Nayakan (1987), directed by Mani Ratnam, was recognised by Time magazine as one of the "100 greatest films of all time."

In 1994, Kamal became the first Kollywood actor to be paid a salary of Rs 1 crore for a single film.

Kamal Haasan holds the record for the most Filmfare Awards won by any Indian, with a total of 19 victories. In 2000, he wrote to the committee requesting that to stop considering him for further awards.

Beyond his cinematic contributions, Kamal Haasan has ensured a legacy of giving by pledging to donate his entire body and organs to further important medical research.