Ever tried to guess how old a guy is when he looks like a secret agent one day and a hundred-year-old vigilante the next? That is the constant struggle when you're looking at Kamal Haasan. If you are typing how old is kamal into your search bar, you're likely thinking of the "Universal Hero" of Indian cinema, though maybe you're curious about a certain former US Vice President too.
Let's clear the air.
As of right now, in early 2026, Kamal Haasan is 71 years old. He was born on November 7, 1954. He's a Scorpio. Does that explain the intensity? Maybe. But for a guy who has been working since he was five, "71" feels like a weird number. It doesn't quite capture the six decades of pure, unadulterated sweat he’s poured into the film industry.
Why the confusion about his age?
People get tripped up because Kamal doesn't age like a normal human. Most actors find a "look" and stick to it. Kamal? He changes his face more often than most people change their phone settings.
Remember Indian? Back in 1996, he played a 70-plus-year-old man using prosthetic makeup that took hours to apply. He looked ancient then. Fast forward to 2024’s Indian 2 and the recent Thug Life promos—he’s playing characters that skip across decades. It’s a bit of a mind-trip. You see him on screen looking eighty, then you see him at a political rally for his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam, looking sharp in a linen shirt, and your brain just breaks.
He’s currently serving in the Rajya Sabha, India's upper house of Parliament. He took his oath in July 2025. Transitioning from "Superstar" to "Honorable Member of Parliament" at 70 is no small feat. Most people are looking for a rocking chair at that age. Kamal is looking for a new screenplay and a policy debate.
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The Kamala Factor
Wait. Did you actually mean Kamala Harris?
It happens. Google gets a little confused sometimes because the names are so similar. If you were actually wondering about the former Vice President, she was born on October 20, 1964. That makes her 61 years old. She’s exactly ten years and about two weeks younger than the actor.
Both are of Tamil descent, which is a fun coincidence. Kamal Haasan was born in Paramakudi, in what is now Tamil Nadu. Kamala Harris’s mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was from Chennai. Small world, honestly.
How Old Is Kamal Compared to His Peers?
Cinema in India is basically a high-stakes endurance sport. To understand where Kamal stands at 71, you have to look at the guys he’s been "competing" with since the 1970s.
- Rajinikanth: The "Thalaivar" is actually older. Born in 1950, Rajini is 75. They’ve been friends and rivals since they were both skinny kids in K. Balachander films.
- Amitabh Bachchan: The Big B is the elder statesman at 83.
- Mammootty: The Malayalam legend is 74 and somehow looks like he’s 45. It’s actually suspicious.
Kamal sits right in that sweet spot where he has nothing left to prove but still has enough gas in the tank to do his own stunts. Honestly, the physical toll he’s put his body through is legendary. He’s broken more bones than a professional skateboarder. From the spinal injuries during Dasavathaaram to the countless times he’s puffed up his face with toxic makeup, the fact that he’s 71 and still standing is a medical miracle.
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A Career That Started Before He Could Read
To really get the "age" of Kamal, you have to look at the timeline. He didn't start in his 20s.
He made his debut in Kalathur Kannamma in 1960. He was five. He won a National Award for it. Imagine being five years old and already being better at your job than most adults. By the time he was a "young adult" in the 70s, he had already spent fifteen years on film sets.
That’s why he seems "older" than he is. We’ve been watching him for sixty-five years. He’s been a child star, a romantic lead, a dancing sensation, a prosthetic pioneer, a director, and now a politician.
The 2026 Reality
So, what does 71 look like for him right now?
He isn't slowing down. His production house, Raaj Kamal Films International, is cranking out projects. He’s still hosting Bigg Boss Tamil (though there are always rumors he’s quitting). And he’s deeply involved in the legislative process in New Delhi.
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There's a specific kind of energy he brings to this decade of his life. It’s less about "look at me" and more about "look at what cinema can do." He's currently pushing the boundaries of AI in filmmaking and de-aging technology. It’s ironic—a 71-year-old man is the one teaching the kids how to use the latest tech.
What should you actually take away from this?
If you came here just for a number, you got it: 71. But if you're looking for the context, here is what matters about his age in 2026:
- Longevity is a choice. He stays relevant because he refuses to be a nostalgia act. He doesn't just play the "old man" roles; he plays the most complex roles in the room.
- Health matters. Despite the injuries, his discipline with dance and physical fitness in his younger years gave him a base that supports him now.
- The name confusion is real. If you're looking for "Kamal" and see US politics, you're looking at the wrong 60-something-year-old.
Next time you see him on screen, remember that the face you're looking at has been through six decades of transformation. Whether he's 71 or 171, the "Universal Hero" label probably isn't going anywhere.
Check his official social media handles or the Rajya Sabha member portal if you want to see what he’s up to this week. You’ll probably find him debating a bill or scouting a location in some remote corner of the world.