Naveed
Kamal Haasan was born into a Tamil Brahmin Hindu family but does not practise religion. He describes himself as a rationalist rather than an atheist, saying: “I’m not an atheist, I am a rationalist.”
| Religion | None practised; rationalist (Hindu birth) |
|---|---|
| Status | Confirmed by his own statements |
| Full name | Kamal Haasan |
| Born | November 7, 1954, Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Actor, filmmaker and politician; founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam |
| Family background | Tamil Brahmin family; father D. Srinivasan was a lawyer |
What Religion Is Kamal Haasan?
Haasan was born Hindu but does not follow religion. He is often listed as an atheist, but he has corrected that label, telling the Deccan Chronicle and others that he is a rationalist.
Religion and Controversy
Haasan has repeatedly been drawn into religious controversy, from protests over his 2013 film Vishwaroopam to a 2019 remark about Hindu extremism. He said he was speaking against extremism, not against Hinduism, and that he respects all faiths.
Politics
In 2018 he launched the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam in Tamil Nadu, presenting it as secular and centrist.
FAQ
Is Kamal Haasan an atheist?
He calls himself a rationalist, not an atheist.
Is Kamal Haasan Hindu?
He was born into a Hindu family but does not practise.
What party did Kamal Haasan found?
Makkal Needhi Maiam, in 2018.
Related Celebrities
- Dulquer Salmaan's religion
- Emraan Hashmi's religion
- Abhishek Sharma's religion
- Virat Kohli's religion
Sources
- Deccan Chronicle: I am rationalist, not atheist, Kamal Haasan
- India Forums: Kamal Haasan's controversial moments
- Wikipedia: Kamal Haasan
Last updated: September 24, 2026.
