Happy birthday, Kamal Haasan: Check out the best films of the actor-politician streaming on OTT

As Kamal Haasan turns 68, we've put together a list of his best movies that you should watch, in no particular order.

Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu: Directed by K Balachander, the film, also starring Sridevi, revolves around the life of Rangan. He's a common man, who'd like to lead his life, driven by idealism. The protagonist holds a master's degree in philosophy, admires Bharathiyar poetry, and fluently speaks a handful of languages yet has difficulties finding a job. Kamal Haasan's films have been the most experimental, and he is one of those rare artists who does not shy away from experimenting. The film also got a Hindi version, Zara Si Zindagi.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

16 Vayathinile: Directed by Bharathiraja, this one featured Sridevi, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth in lead roles. In an audio launch, Rajinikanth had recalled how Parattai (his character) took him to the nooks and crannies of Tamil Nadu. At the age of 14, Sridevi acted in 16 Vayathinile, which translates to 'at the age of 16'. The film marked Bharathiraja's directorial debut in cinema. He eventually went on to become one of the iconic directors of the Tamil film industry.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Swathi Muthyam: Directed by K Viswanath, Swathi Muthyam was India’s official entry to the 59 Academy Awards in the best foreign film category. Upon its success, the film, also starring Raadika, was later remade in Hindi as Eeshwar and in Kannada as Swathi Muthu.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Pushpaka Vimana: It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Kamal Haasan delivered one of his most subtle performances in Singeetam Srinivasa Rao’s dialogue-free comedy. It was released in Tamil as Pesum Padam and in Hindi as Pushpak. Kamal is ably backed by Amala, in a role, which was originally intended for Madhuri Dixit. The supporting cast includes Pratap Pothan, Sameer Khakhar, and Hindi film actor-director Tinnu Anand (who kills Kamal Haasan's character in Nayakan).

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Meendum Kokila: Directed by GN Rangarajan, the film chronicles the ordeals of a married woman, who tries to bring her husband, after he falls in love with a female actor, back home. It was said that Deepa's role was originally written for the Bollywood actor Rekha. Initially, Mahendran of Mullum Malarum-fame was to direct this one, but later, opted out, after a song sequence was shot. Sridevi's performance as Kamal's wife was widely talked about, too!

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Ek Duuje Ke Liye: It is like a Romeo-Juliet kind of story where the characters belong to two different worlds. The film, directed by K Balachander, was one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 1981. The film was an adaptation of the director's popular 1978 film, Maro Charitra, and revolves around what happens when a Tamil man, played by Kamal, falls in love with a woman from a North Indian family, essayed by Rati Agnihotri. Ek Duuje Ke Liye featured several memorable numbers; right from the Hum Bane Tum Bane to Mere Jeevan Saathi, which soon attained cult status.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Sagara Sangamam/Salangai Oli: With Kamal Haasan, Jayaprada and SP Shailaja in the lead roles, the film, directed by K Viswanath, touches upon the value of an artist and his/her craft in today's materialistic world. The film featured some of the best dance performances by Kamal Haasan. Add to it Ilaiyaraaja’s National Award-winning score; the film makes for a good comfort watch, any day.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Oru Kaidhiyin Diary: Directed by Bharathiraja, the film, also starring Radha, Revathi and Janagaraj, has a story by K Bhagyaraj. It had a 175 day run in theatres and was remade in Hindi as Aakhree Raasta, with Big B in the lead. The makeup for Kamal Haasan was done by the Hollywood technician, Michael Westmore.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Apoorva Sagodharargal: For a long time, nobody knew how Kamal Haasan played a dwarf in the film. Every scene was done much before CG came into existence. The plot centres on the twins, Raju and Appu, and the latter's quest for revenge, against those who killed his father (also played by Kamal.) The film, also starring Gautami, Rupini, Manorama, Nagesh and Srividya; among others, had a 200 day run in theatres. All of the songs were written by Vaali, and set to tunes by Ilaiyaraaja.

Available on: Eros Now

Nayakan: Loosely based on the life of underworld don Varadarajan Mudaliar, the film was directed by Mani Ratnam. When asked if he would make a sequel to this, Mani Ratnam said 'never'. "When you finish a film, you are glad to be rid of it. You're happy you don't have to go back to that again. Been there, done that," he added.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Michael Madana Kama Rajan: The most rewatched film of Kamal Haasan is this Singeetam Sreenivasa Rao's cult classic about quadruplets separated at birth. Crazy Mohan and Kamal Haasan first collaborated on Apoorva Sagodharargal. Following this success, they both collaborated again on MMKR and this time they outdid themselves. The dialogues with the Palakkad Brahmin accent continue to make people laugh to this day.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Moondram Pirai: Directed by Balu Mahendra, the film was said to have been inspired by his wife Shoba's sudden death. (she died by suicide in the 80s). The role of Bhagyalakshmi was first offered to Sripriya, who couldn't accept the role, owing to her prior commitments. It then came to Sridevi. The 2012 Bollywood film, Barfi was loosely based on this one. Priyanka Chopra did what Sridevi did, and Ranbir played a role similar to that of Kamal Haasan.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Gunaa: The film was directed by Kamal Haasan's long time friend, Santhana Bharathi. The film was originally titled Mathikettan Solai but was changed into Gunaa. Roshni played one of the leads, and that was the only film she did in Tamil! Also, it is said to be a loose remake of the 1989 Spanish film, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Punnagai Mannan: Watch the film, directed by K Balachander, for some amazing dance movements and an amazing screenplay. Oh, yes, who can't be a fan of the adorable Chaplin Chellappa?

Available on: Sony Liv

Mahanadhi: Kamal Haasan wrote the story, screenplay and co-wrote the dialogues with acclaimed novelist Ra Ki Rangarajan. Director Cheran had worked as an AD on this film, which has one of the most poignant climaxes in the history of Tamil cinema. Also, Mahanadhi was the first film in India to make use of Avid editing technology, becoming one of the first digitally-edited films outside of the US.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Avvai Shanmughi: Heavily inspired by Mrs Doubtfire, the film is directed by KS Ravikumar. Kamal, originally, wanted Sivaji Ganesan to play Meena's father in the film, but due to health issues, Gemini Ganesan was approached for the role. It was said that Michael Westmore took more than a month to design the look of Shanmugi maami, which was played by Kamal himself. The actor made his directorial debut by remaking the same in Hindi as Chachi 410, with Tabu, Om Puri, and Amrish Puri, in the lead roles.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Indian: Is it possible for a vigilante father to kill his son? Yes, especially when he is escaping punishment for having gone down the wrong path... The film, directed by Shankar, was submitted by the makers for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Kamal's character, Senapathy aka Indian thatha became a sensation. Twenty-five years have passed and Indian 2 is currently on the cards.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Thenali: Directed by KS Ravikumar, the film subtly touches upon mental health issues. Kamal had approached KS Ravikumar to direct a film after his Marudhanayagam had gotten postponed. The director stated in an interview that Kamal sir was of great assistance to him during production. "To do something special for him, I decided to give him the title Ulaganayagan. When I told him of my plan, he wasn't too keen, but I landed at his home with a camera."

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Kaathala Kaathala: The film has everything that a Crazy Mohan film has: a car chasing climax scene, Kamal Haasan and enough puns to last till his next movie. One of the finest comedies to date in Tamil cinema, this one, directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, is a laugh riot!

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Anbe Sivam: Initially, Kamal wanted Priyadarshan to direct this one. Eventually, Sundar C came on board, who agreed to produce the film, as well. Madhavan played the film's second lead, after Mohanlal opted out of the project, due to creative differences.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

Hey Ram: The film may have completed two decades, but it remains ahead of its time. Not only did Kamal Hassan direct it, but also played the role of the lead protagonist. Shot simultaneously in Hindi and English, the songs were composed by Ilaiyaraaja. However, violinist L. Subramaniam was the first choice for the music direction. Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Hema Malini, Girish Karnad, Naseeruddin Shah, and Atul Kulkarni were the supporting characters, for the project, which was selected by India as its submission to the Oscars, it failed to reach the final list of nominees.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video