It is a fact known to all,that Kamalahasan rose to fame in his very first film as a child artist in AVM's 'Kalathur Kannamma' as the forlorn son of Gemini Ganesan and Savithri. The song "Ammavum Neeye Appaavum Neeye Muruga Muruga"{You are the father;you are the mother oh! God} for which he gave his lip movements showed how capable he was, in synthesising his physical inclusion into role play, even as a child artist.He again appeared as the son of Gemini Ganesan and Saavithri in dual roles in AVM's Paarthaal Pasitheerum.
In that glorious film Paarthaal Pasi Theerum he was seen in the arms of Sivaji Ganesan being fondled with the lullaby "Pillaikku Thandhai oruvan Nam Ellorukkum Thandhai Iraivan"{A son has one father;for us all God is the father}In this context it should be mentioned here that both these stalwart actors were introduced and cherished by the AVM banner.
In 'Anandha Jothi' again as a child artist,he was the pet student of his PT master,played by MGR.The other films of Kamal as child artist were, AVM's Padha Kanikkai,{another film of Gemini Ganesan and Savithri}and Vanambadi. Thus,as a child artist itself, Kamal shared the screen space with the three mega heroes of Tamil Cinema during the Nineteen Sixties. Even as a child artist Kamal's power of performance was unbeatable, in terms of voice throw, clarity and a kind of defiance against hurdles and obstructions.
The rapport between Kamal and Gemini Ganesan was going strong with a few more films like kurathi Magan,Naan Avanillai Unnal Mudiyum Thambi of K.Balachander {in which Kamal again became the son of Gemini}.This beautiful link between the two heroes splendidly culminated in Avvai Shanmugi, the most hilarious comedy, in which he became the love interest of Gemini Ganesan,{the pretty old father of Meena }through impersonation as a woman called Shanmugi. Kamalahasan also joined the Chevalier in Naam Pirandha Mann and later as his son in the epoch-making film Devar Magan,
Kamalahasan's early roles as an adult actor were with Sivakumar.From Balachander's Sollathaan Ninaikkiren ,the films he acted with Sivakumar were Gumasthavin Magal Panathukkaaka, Thein Sindhuthe Vaanam, Saindhaadamma Saaindhaadu, Pattaam Poochi, Melnaattu Marumagal and Thangathile Vairom.While Kamalahasan played negative roles in Sollathaan Ninaiki rein and Pattaam Poochi,Sivakumar did the role of a selfish person in Saindhaadamma Saaindhaadu as he did in Rajinikanth's Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri. In all these films Kamal was not seen as a junior artist, but as an actor of high voltage calibre, in performing roles with ease and ecstasy.He has also acted with R.Muthuraman in the film 'Guru' which was a remake of the Hindi film 'Jugnu'.
With Jaishankar,Kamal has acted in films like Yellaam Inbamayam, Savaal,Sattam, Vaazhve Mayam,Naanum Oru Thozhilaali Abhoorva Sahodhararkal and Singaravelan. Earlier Jai Shankar had appeared in cameo roles in Kamalahasan films like Abhoorva Raagangal and Uyarndhavarkal.Of these it was interesting to see them as fraternal thieves in Savaal and to see Jai Shankar as villain in Abhoorva Sagothararkal.
Then Kamalahasan became Rajinikanth's costar in about ten films. Starting from Abhoorva Raagangal, the duo continued their film journey together in films like Moonru Mudichu, Padhinaaru Vayadhinile, Ninaith aale Inikkum,Avarkal,Aval Appadithaan, Thaayillaamal Naanillai, Allaudinum Arpudha Vilakkum and Ilamai Oonjalaadu kiradhu.Most of these films were known for their powerful narration and Rajinikanth played negative roles in Moonru Mudichu, Padhinaaru Vayadhinile and Avarkal.
Almost all the films that Kamalahasan acted with other popular heroes were his earlier films. Among these, the films of Kamalhasan and Rajinikanth were more significant than others, because both Kamalahasan and Rajinikanth were emerging heroes,unlike the other heroes mentioned here,who had already well established their place in Tamil cinema.Among the popular heroes mentioned here,MGR was the only hero with whom Rajinikanth never shared the screen.If Kamalahasan became the son of Sivaji Ganesan in Devar Magan, Rajinikanth acted as the son of the Chevalier in Padayappa. Unlike Rajinikanth who acted several films with Jai Shankar,Kamalahasan's films with Jai Shankar were fewer in number.
Once Kamalahasan's heroic growth got established, he avoided acting with other popular heroes. From his childhood days,the thirst for doing something different at all times with power and pomp, is in the blood of Kamal.If variety is the spice of life,Kamal is the spice of that variety.He might have played smaller roles in several films at the beginning. Sivakumar jovially called him his junior artist,in seven films, at an award winning programme. But Kamalahasan has always been a grand junior, at times even excelling the main heroes.Being with other heroes, Kamal never failed to carve a niche for himself, to make himself the most indispensable profile of Tamil Cinema.
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