Sagara Sangamam (1983)
While Haasan's acting prowess came as no surprise to anyone, in 1983 arrived a movie that went beyond what everyone had seen of the actor so far.
Sagara Sangamam (The Confluence), directed by noted Telugu director K Viswanath showcased him as a classical Bharathanatyam dancer where he floored the audience with his impressive passion and talent.
It traced the life of a gifted but guileless young dancer who cannot compromise on his principles, his friendship with wealthy patron Madhavi, his mother's death, and the chaotic descent into loneliness, drink and depression.
Widely acclaimed for not compromising on commercial values, the movie went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for that year.
It also received accolades at the Asian Film Festival in both Best Movie and Best Actor.
Essentially a music-based movie, it won rave reviews for his excellent songs and choreography as well, and was dubbed into Tamil as Salangai Oli.
Advertisement
