Balu Mahendra
Encyclopedia
Balanathan "Balu" Mahendran (born 20 May 1946 in Batticaloa
, Sri Lanka
) is an India
n filmmaker, screenwriter
, and cinematographer
widely regarded as part of the first in a wave of directors and screenwriters from the Chennai film industry who revitalised Tamil cinema. He initially developed an early interest in photography
.
A cinematography graduate and a gold medalist from the FTII
in Pune. He started his film career as a cameraman for the Malayalam film Nellu
in 1974, which earned him the best cinematographer award from the Government of Kerala. He has been chosen as the best cinematographer for as many as ten films. He pioneered innovative camera style for colour in South India. He has won five National Film Awards
and three Filmfare Awards South
.
. He is considered as one of the few film makers in Tamil who can tell a story visually. He writes the script for his films, handles the camera and edits the film himself, thus retaining a firm control over his creative output.
He worked mainly in Malayalam for directors like K. S. Sethumadhavan
and P. N. Menon
, before making his first film in Kannada, and then moving on to direct films in Tamil and Malayalam languages.
He also worked as cinemotographer for the indian master piece "Shankarabharanam", a Telugu
fim made by Kalatapaswi Dr. K. Viswanath
.
He made his first Hindi Film Sadma
,which is a remake of his own Tamil film Moondram Pirai
with Kamal Hasan and Sridevi. This film is supposed to be one of the finest films made by him. The film superbly captures the emotions involved in the relationship between the two main characters. He made another Hindi film, Aur Ek Prem Kahani
which was about the love affair between a young man and his maid told in a realistic and simple manner.
He has directed a malayalam movie Yatra which was remade in Tamil.
Mahendra is said to have witnessed the shooting of David Lean
's The Bridge on the River Kwai
and was so impressed that he decided to become a filmmaker.
The film director Mani Ratnam
approached Mahendra to work on the cinematography of his first Kannada film, Pallavi Anu Pallavi
. It has been reported that he almost refused to work with Ratnam whom he perceived as a novice at that time. He has since been quoted as admiring Ratnam for his 'infectious enthusiasm'.He never hesitated to work with Ratnam when Ratnam approached him. Instead he agreed to do the film enthusiastically when Ratnam met him and narrated the story to him.
Mahendra's strength as a cinematographer has helped him use visuals as an effective vehicle to carry the story forward.he has revolutionized cinematography in Tamil cinema, He has handled social issues like red tapism, corruption and old age in films like Sandhya Raagam. The women in his films come out strongly as can be seen in Veedu (Tamilzh).
Oflate, his films have not clicked at the box office and his financial status too wasn't going great, which he had mentioned in an interview.
Batticaloa
Batticaloa is a city in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka. It is the seat of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka. It is on the east coast, south by south east of Trincomalee, and is situated on an island.-Etymology:...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
) is an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n filmmaker, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
, and cinematographer
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
widely regarded as part of the first in a wave of directors and screenwriters from the Chennai film industry who revitalised Tamil cinema. He initially developed an early interest in photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
.
A cinematography graduate and a gold medalist from the FTII
Film and Television Institute of India
Film and Television Institute of India , is an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. It is fully aided by Central Government of India. It is situated in the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Film Company in Pune, India...
in Pune. He started his film career as a cameraman for the Malayalam film Nellu
Nellu (1974 film)
Nellu is a 1974 Malayalam film directed by Ramu Kariat based on the award-winning novel of the same name by P. Valsala. The film is about the tribal people of the Wayanad hills in the deep Kerala forests. It stars Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi in the lead roles...
in 1974, which earned him the best cinematographer award from the Government of Kerala. He has been chosen as the best cinematographer for as many as ten films. He pioneered innovative camera style for colour in South India. He has won five National Film Awards
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
and three Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the South Indian film industry. The awards are separately given for Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films...
.
Film career
His first film as a director was Kokila, a Kannada film, which earned him a National Film Award. Azhiyatha Kolanagl (1979) was his first directorial venture in TamilTamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
. He is considered as one of the few film makers in Tamil who can tell a story visually. He writes the script for his films, handles the camera and edits the film himself, thus retaining a firm control over his creative output.
He worked mainly in Malayalam for directors like K. S. Sethumadhavan
K. S. Sethumadhavan
K. S. Sethumadhavan is an Indian director of Malayalam films. He has also directed films in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Since the early 1960s he has directed over 60 movies...
and P. N. Menon
P. N. Menon
P. N. Menon was an Indian film director and art director in Malayalam cinema.-Early life:Born in a poor family in a small town called Vadakkaanchery in Kerala, he completed his studies at Thrissur and from School of Art in Chennai. He came to Chennai when he was only 20 years old...
, before making his first film in Kannada, and then moving on to direct films in Tamil and Malayalam languages.
He also worked as cinemotographer for the indian master piece "Shankarabharanam", a Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
fim made by Kalatapaswi Dr. K. Viswanath
Kasinadhuni Viswanath
Kasinadhuni Vishwanath is an Indian film director and actor from Telugu Cinema. He is a multiple winner of National Film Award and Nandi Award...
.
He made his first Hindi Film Sadma
Sadma
Sadma is a 1983 Indian film directed by Balu Mahendra which stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi with music composed by Ilayaraaja. The picture tells the story of Nehalata , a young woman who regresses to childhood after suffering a head injury in a car crash...
,which is a remake of his own Tamil film Moondram Pirai
Moondram Pirai
Moondram Pirai is a 1982 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Sridevi, Kamal Haasan, Poornam Vishwanathan and Silk Smitha. Ilaiyaraaja composed the music. Kamal Haasan won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as Srinivas...
with Kamal Hasan and Sridevi. This film is supposed to be one of the finest films made by him. The film superbly captures the emotions involved in the relationship between the two main characters. He made another Hindi film, Aur Ek Prem Kahani
Aur Ek Prem Kahani
Aur Ek Prem Kahani is a 1996 Hindi-language Indian feature film directed by famed Cinematographer, Balu Mahendra. The film became the debut of several Southern stars, Ramesh Aravind, Sudhir Ahuja, and Heera Rajgopal. Co-starred the film were Revathi Menon and Akshay Anand...
which was about the love affair between a young man and his maid told in a realistic and simple manner.
He has directed a malayalam movie Yatra which was remade in Tamil.
Mahendra is said to have witnessed the shooting of David Lean
David Lean
Sir David Lean CBE was an English film director, producer, screenwriter, and editor best remembered for big-screen epics such as The Bridge on the River Kwai , Lawrence of Arabia ,...
's The Bridge on the River Kwai
The Bridge on the River Kwai
The Bridge on the River Kwai is a 1957 British World War II film by David Lean based on The Bridge over the River Kwai by French writer Pierre Boulle. The film is a work of fiction but borrows the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942–43 for its historical setting. It stars William...
and was so impressed that he decided to become a filmmaker.
The film director Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...
approached Mahendra to work on the cinematography of his first Kannada film, Pallavi Anu Pallavi
Pallavi Anu Pallavi
Pallavi Anu Pallavi is a Kannada film released in 1983, in which Indian director Mani Ratnam made his directorial debut. The movie starred Anil Kapoor in his first leading role. The film deals with an unconventional plot of a male in love with an older female played by the popular actress...
. It has been reported that he almost refused to work with Ratnam whom he perceived as a novice at that time. He has since been quoted as admiring Ratnam for his 'infectious enthusiasm'.He never hesitated to work with Ratnam when Ratnam approached him. Instead he agreed to do the film enthusiastically when Ratnam met him and narrated the story to him.
Mahendra's strength as a cinematographer has helped him use visuals as an effective vehicle to carry the story forward.he has revolutionized cinematography in Tamil cinema, He has handled social issues like red tapism, corruption and old age in films like Sandhya Raagam. The women in his films come out strongly as can be seen in Veedu (Tamilzh).
Oflate, his films have not clicked at the box office and his financial status too wasn't going great, which he had mentioned in an interview.
National Film Awards
- 1977 — National Film Award for Best CinematographyNational Film Award for Best CinematographyThe National Film Award for Best Cinematography are given annually. The only female who has won this award is Anjuli Shukla, who won the award for her debut film, Kutty Srank . The most time winners are Santosh Sivan & K.K. Mahajan - 4 awards each for best cinematography category....
for KokilaKokila (film)Kokila is a 1977 Kannada language film starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role of the protagonist. The movie also stars Mohan as Kamal's friend along with Roja Ramani and Sobha. This was directional debut for Balu Mahendra... - 1982 — National Film Award for Best Cinematography for Moondram PiraiMoondram PiraiMoondram Pirai is a 1982 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Sridevi, Kamal Haasan, Poornam Vishwanathan and Silk Smitha. Ilaiyaraaja composed the music. Kamal Haasan won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as Srinivas...
- 1987 — National Film Award for Best Feature Film in TamilNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in TamilThe following lists the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The year in the header refers to the date when the film was censored and submitted for the awards, without of regard of when the award was presented. Apart from the Silver Lotus Award "Certificate of Merit" was also given...
for VeeduVeeduVeedu is a 1988 Tamil drama film written and directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Archana, which depicts the difficulties of a middle class family in building a house. Mahendra, besides directing, worked as the script writer, cinematographer and editor as well. Featuring musical score by... - 1990 — National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for Vanna Vanna Pookkal
- 1990 — National Film Award for Best Film on Family WelfareNational Film Award for Best Film on Family WelfareThe National Film Award - Best Film on Family Welfare winners:...
for Sandhya Raagam
Filmfare Awards South
- 1982 — Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for Moondram PiraiMoondram PiraiMoondram Pirai is a 1982 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Sridevi, Kamal Haasan, Poornam Vishwanathan and Silk Smitha. Ilaiyaraaja composed the music. Kamal Haasan won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as Srinivas...
- 1982 — Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam for OlangalOlangalOlangal is a 1982 Indian film in Malayalam directed by Balu Mahendra.-Synopsis:Life goes on happily for the couple, Ravi and Radha who live with their only daughter until Father John arrives in the city with a young boy Raju, Ravi's son from an affair with Reetha before his marriage to Radha...
Notable filmography
- Adhu Oru Kana KaalamAdhu Oru Kana KaalamAdhu Oru Kana Kaalam is a Tamil film directed by Balu Mahendra released in 2005, starring Dhanush and Priyamani. It was a remake of Balu Mahendra's 1987 Telugu film Nireekshana with slight modifications, but however it was said that the film was based on a true incident.-Box office:*The film...
(2005) - Dhanush, Priyamani - Julie GanapathiJulie GanapathiJulie Ganapathi is a 2003 South Indian motion picture. It is a remake of the 1990 American film Misery, itself an adaptation of the Stephen King novel.-Plot:...
(2003) - Jeyaram, Saritha, Ramyakrishnan - Raman AbdullahRaman AbdullahRaman Abdullah is a 1997 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Sivakumar, Karan, Vignesh, Eshwari Rao, Rudra, Prithviraj, Charle, Amarasigamani and Delhi Ganesh.-Plot:...
(1997) - Vignesh, Karan, Easwari Rao, - Aur Ek Prem KahaniAur Ek Prem KahaniAur Ek Prem Kahani is a 1996 Hindi-language Indian feature film directed by famed Cinematographer, Balu Mahendra. The film became the debut of several Southern stars, Ramesh Aravind, Sudhir Ahuja, and Heera Rajgopal. Co-starred the film were Revathi Menon and Akshay Anand...
(1996)- Ramesh Aravind, Revathi, Heera - Sathi LeelavathiSathi LeelavathiSathi Leelavathi is a 1995 Tamil comedy film written and directed by Balu Mahendra. The film is produced by Kamal Haasan, with story by Ananthu and dialogues by Crazy Mohan with Ilaiyaraja as music composer...
(1995) - Kamalhasan,ramesh Arvinth,Kovai Sarala, Heera - MarupadiyumMarupadiyum-External links: **...
(1993) - Nizhalgal Ravi, Revathy, Archana - Vanna Vanna Pookal (1991) - Prashanth, Vinitha
- Sandhya Raagam (1989) - Banuchander, Archana
- VeeduVeeduVeedu is a 1988 Tamil drama film written and directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Archana, which depicts the difficulties of a middle class family in building a house. Mahendra, besides directing, worked as the script writer, cinematographer and editor as well. Featuring musical score by...
(1988) - Archana, Banu Chandar - Rettai Vaal KuruviRettai Vaal KuruviRettai Vaal Kuruvi is a 1987 Indian Tamil language film starring Mohan, Raadhika Sarathkumar and Archana. This movie was an unauthorized copy of the Hollywood flick Micki and Maude. Balu Mahendra never acknowledged the original movie in the credits....
(1987) - Mohan,Radika,Archana - YathraYathraYathra is a 1985 Malayalam film directed by Balu Mahendra, and starring Mammootty and Shobana. It is a remake of the 1982 Telugu film Nireekshana, directed by Balu Mahendra himself, and starring Bhanu Chander and Archana.The film tells a fictional story, but built upon the human rights violations...
(1985) - Malayalam - Mammooty, Shobhana - Neengal Kettavai (1984) - Thiyagarajan,Silk Smitha, Banu Chandar, Archana
- Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal - Rajnikanth, Madhavi
- SadmaSadmaSadma is a 1983 Indian film directed by Balu Mahendra which stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi with music composed by Ilayaraaja. The picture tells the story of Nehalata , a young woman who regresses to childhood after suffering a head injury in a car crash...
(1983) - Kamal Hassan, Sridevi, Silk Smitha - Moondram PiraiMoondram PiraiMoondram Pirai is a 1982 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Sridevi, Kamal Haasan, Poornam Vishwanathan and Silk Smitha. Ilaiyaraaja composed the music. Kamal Haasan won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as Srinivas...
(1983) - Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Silk Smitha - Oomakkuyil (1983) - Malayalam
- NireekshanaNireekshanaNireekshana is a Telugu Drama film directed by Balu Mahendra starring Bhanu Chander and Archana. The music was composed by Maestro Ilayaraja. This movie was released in the year 1982 and remained as all time classic. What is worth noting about this film is the music by Ilayaraja, not only songs...
(1987) - Telugu - OlangalOlangalOlangal is a 1982 Indian film in Malayalam directed by Balu Mahendra.-Synopsis:Life goes on happily for the couple, Ravi and Radha who live with their only daughter until Father John arrives in the city with a young boy Raju, Ravi's son from an affair with Reetha before his marriage to Radha...
(1982) - Malayalam - Moodupani (1980) - Prathap pothan, Shobha
- Azhiyadha KolangalAzhiyadha KolangalAzhiyadha Kolangal is a Tamil language film starring Kamal Haasan. This movie is a story about the events that happen during the adolescent age of three friends who live in a small village. Filmed in very beautiful scenic locations, the movie takes one through an exotic joy ride of emotions, first...
(1979) - Shobha,Guest appearance(Prathap pothan,kamalhasan) - Sommokadidhi SokokadidhiSommokadidhi SokokadidhiSommokadidhi Sokokadidhi is a 1978 Telugu-language Indian feature film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, starring Kamal Haasan in a dual role for the first time in his career.-Plot:...
(1978) - KokilaKokila (film)Kokila is a 1977 Kannada language film starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role of the protagonist. The movie also stars Mohan as Kamal's friend along with Roja Ramani and Sobha. This was directional debut for Balu Mahendra...
(1977) - Kannada-Mohan
Balumahendra's Assistants
- BalaBala (director)Bala is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, working in Tamil cinema. Bala is frequently credited with having "revolutionized Tamil cinema", through his realistic, dark and disturbing films that have garnered high critical acclaim...
(Sethu, Nandha, Pithaamahan, Naan Kadavul, Avan-Ivan) - Vetrimaaran (Pollathavan, Aadukalam)
- Seenu RamasamySeenu RamasamySeenu Ramasamy is a Tamil movie director.Coming from the stable of popular cinematographer and director Balu Mahendra, he understands life and has learnt his lessons well. His first movie was Koodal Nagar starring Bharath, Bhavana, and Sandhya...
(Koodal Nagar, Thenmerku Paruva Kaatru) - Suresh Kanna (Kalavar King)
- B.Ravikumar (Desam Thaandi, Never Comes Again)
- Lyricist Na. MuthukumarNa. MuthukumarNa. Muthukumar is a Tamil poet and lyricist, who writes lyrics for Tamil film songs.-Career:Muthukumar began his career wanting to be a director and worked under Balu Mahendra for four years. But then he became a lyricist, beginning with the lyrics for the songs of the Tamil film Veera Nadai,...
has also assisted Balumahendra. - Sebastian Seeman|Seemaan (Paanjalankurichi, Thambi) - although he has not worked as an assistant to Balumahendra, he is said to be very close to Balumahendra. He is very much inspired by him.
- RamRam (director)Ram is a Indian film director, who works in Tamil cinema. After assisting Hindi directors Rajkumar Santoshi and Govind Nihalani and working under Balu Mahendra, he made his directorial debut with Kattradhu Thamizh , which fetched him strong critical acclaim...
(director) (Katradhu Thamizh) - suga writer and director
- raman (sethu abitha's father)