Today, Kamal turns 52 and I wanted to celebrate his birthday in some form. Here are some of my favourite moments from Kamal movies over the years. These are mostly limited to acting.

Aval Appadithaan: He played the soft-spoken documentary film-maker in this art-house movie focussed on the abrasive heroine. Arun is the person who understands her most. But she pushes him away repeatedly. In this scene, he realises he cannot do much and leaves with a mildly sad and disappointed face.

Moondraam Pirai (Sadma): No prizes for guessing the scene! It is The Scene, which fetched him his first National Award for Best Actor. As the girl whom he took care of leaves without recognising him (after recovering from mental illness), he runs with the train helplessly. He acts out scenes from their past and one of them is the monkey act. With his mouth mimicking a monkey, sadness pours out uncontrollably in the form of tears.

Saagara Sangamam (Salangai Oli): Amongst all the entralling moments of this movie, this one touched me most. Balakrishna is thrilled to know that he is scheduled to perform at an all-India dance festival. Madhavi gives him the booklet without revealing the news. He flips page by page and is shocked on seeing his photo and name. She watches all along with a smile and some mischief. On realising what she has done for him, he quickly bursts into tears and thanks her. The look on the face is simply unforgettable.

Nayakan: Another much talked about scene is when Velu’s son lies dead. It was particularly criticised for the ‘funny’ style of crying. Forget the crying; for me, it’s the shocked and helpless look on the face. He looks at others nearby who are trying to console him, with one hand on the hips and another pointing downwards.

Sathya: The unemployed youngster becomes a henchman for a politician. Caught in the double-game, he finally seeks violent revenge. Mission accomplished, he sits tired and injured, but almost content like a saint.

Michael Madana Kama Rajan: Let me just say that it is possibly the second best Tamil comedy movie of all time (after Kaadhalikka Naeramillai) and leave it at that. But what I am going to describe isn’t really so funny. Madan meets Raju and the latter is being set up to impersonate him. Madan is sitting without his specs and he tries to place the tumbler on the cardboard framework (wall) behind him. It slips since he isn’t able to see properly — “I must get my glasses, you see”!

Thevar Magan: Sakthi is talking to his father with hesitation and fear. In between, he wants to counter-argue; he emerges partially from behind the pillar and softly puts forward his view.

Mahanadhi: Innocence is the hallmark of Krishna in the first part of the movie. He is duped and realises it only when his finance company goes bust. Angry customers storm the office and manhandle him; he floats above the sea of people helplessly.

Kurudhippunal: Though considered to be excessive violence, the climax still remains etched in memory. The mauled-up face seems to have no more strength left; he looks like a vegetable. Yet, Aadhi wants to redeem himself and defies the villain with his mumbled words.

Hey Ram: Saket tries to move onto a settled life with his new wife. But the ghosts of his past haunt him, depicted on screen using special effects. He is terrorised by them and pours water on himself, not knowing what to do. Things do not improve still and he clings onto the washing-stone and trembles.

There are more moments in my head, but I stop here to limit it to a memorable ten. This piece was inspired by this post on rkvision blog.

What’s your favourite Kamal moment? Chip in with your choice in the Comments section! I could publish a compilation of the best ones as a separate post.