K. Balachander
Encyclopedia
K. Balachander is an India
n film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or writer. In his career, he has mainly contributed to the Tamil film industry
and is credited with having introduced hundreds of actors and technicians in Tamil Cinema
including Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Prakash Raj
and Vivek
. He also owns a production house named Kavithalaya Productions. Besides Tamil cinema, he has directed films in Telugu
, Hindi and Kannada
languages and occasionally worked as an actor and in television as well.
Balachander has won multiple National Film Awards and numerous Filmfare Awards
. He was honored with the Padma Shri
, India's fourth highest civilian award in 1987, and is also a recipient of the ANR National Award
from the Government of Andhra Pradesh
. In 2011, Balachander was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
, India's highest award in cinema for his contribution to arts. He also holds an Honorary doctorate. He is popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Sikaram ((lit.) The top director) in Kollywood
.
family to Saraswati and Dhandapani at Nannilam
in the then Tanjore district
(now Tiruvarur District
), India
. He completed his B. Sc., (Zoology) in 1949 at Annamalai University
. While working in the Accountant General’s Office as a Superintendent in the 1960s, he came to prominence as an amateur playwright with his dynamic plays like Major Chandrakanth, Server Sundaram, Neerkumizhi, Mezhuguvarthi, Naanal and Navagraham. The plays, which were produced and directed by him, were an instant success and enjoyed both popular and critical acclaim. His films always carried a message for the society, with his personal directorial touch.
M. G. Ramachandran
asked him to write dialogues for the film Dheiva Thaai
. His famed films were Tamil productions such as Apoorva Raagangal
(1975), which deals with a father-son relationship and inter-generational romance that culminates in a complex quandary. Avargal
(1977), which follows the life of a divorcée as she traverses relationships in reverse, from divorce, to marriage, to falling in love. Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980), a drama that charts the travails and conflict of being unemployed in a bombastic and harsh city. 47 Natkal
(1981), which traces the adversities of a newly-wed Indian woman living with an scurrilous, expatriate husband in a Parisian suburb; and Sindhu Bhairavi
(1985), about the intellectual collision and subsequent romance between a lofty Carnatic musician and his ardent female critic. Ek Duuje Ke Liye
(1981, Hindi), about cross-cultural romance in India, for which he received two Filmfare
nominations: direction and best story.
His Telugu films Maro Charithra
and Rudraveena are among the best movies ever made in Telugu film industry. He directed the story about a woman breadwinner taking care of her family in several languages: the Tamil
film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974), the Telugu
film Anthuleni Katha
(1976), and produced the Kannada
film Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu
(1983).
His later films include Parthale Paravasam
(2001) and Poi
(2006). He is credited with discovering new talent in acting, direction, and other technical areas, many of whom have made a mark in their fields. Rajnikanth
, a discovery of Balachandar's, and Kamal Hassan, whom he moulded into a great actor, prove this.
His serials, Kai Alavu Manasu, Rayil Sneham, Kadhal Pagadai
, Premi
, Jannal, Anni and others have been successful. "This medium helps to reach out to the public. That's why I am into making serials," says Balachandar. He strongly feels that the three medium of entertainment — theatre, cinema, and television are bound to co-exist. One cannot destroy the other and the public will see what it wants.
After nearly 40 years, and as a homage to his dear friend Nagesh, KB recently returned (and was "reborn" as he claims) to theatre through the play Pournami. Starring Renuka and Poovilangu Mohan among others, the story is about a homemaker whose husband gets caught in Pakistan under the suspicion of being a terrorist.
. He has received Filmfare Awards
on more than 12 occasions. He was bestowed upon Dadasaheb Phalke Award
, the highest award in Indian cinema
in 2011. He also served as the chairman of the Jury of National Film Awards
in the year 1983.
, Sowcar Janaki
, Nagesh
and Muthuraman
. Even though he was not the one to discover them, he played a prominent role in shaping their career. The following refers to a limited number of film personnel who were either discovered by him or enacted their first major role in a film directed by him.
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 film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or writer. In his career, he has mainly contributed to the Tamil film industry
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
and is credited with having introduced hundreds of actors and technicians in Tamil Cinema
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
including Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj , better known by his stage name Prakash Raj, is a National Award winning actor, director and producer who has worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films. Though he was born in a Tulu family he achieved fame through Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. He got introduced to...
and Vivek
Vivek (actor)
Vivekananthan is an Indian film actor and comedian. He has won four Filmfare Best Comedian Awards for his performances in Run, Saamy, Perazhagan and Sivaji, respectively. In April 2009, Vivek received the Padma Shri award by the Government of India for his contribution to the arts. He was...
. He also owns a production house named Kavithalaya Productions. Besides Tamil cinema, he has directed films in 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...
, Hindi and Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
languages and occasionally worked as an actor and in television as well.
Balachander has won multiple National Film Awards and numerous Filmfare Awards
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...
. He was honored with the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
, India's fourth highest civilian award in 1987, and is also a recipient of the ANR National Award
ANR National Award
The ANR National Award is an annual award to recognize people for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the Indian film industry.The Award was instituted in the honour of versatile actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao or ANR. ANR National Award was first awarded to veteran bollywood actor Dev...
from the Government of Andhra Pradesh
Government of Andhra Pradesh
Government of Andhra Pradesh is the government for the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India.It is an elected government with 294 MLAs elected to the legislative assembly for a 5 year term.-Executive:...
. In 2011, Balachander was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema.The award for a particular year is...
, India's highest award in cinema for his contribution to arts. He also holds an Honorary doctorate. He is popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Sikaram ((lit.) The top director) in Kollywood
Kollywood
Kollywood is a word referring two different movie industries in India and Nepal, derived from the word Hollywood and their local movie centers.* Tamil cinema, the Tamil language film industry based on Kodambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,...
.
Early life
K. Balachander was born on 9 July 1930 in a Tamil BrahminTamil Brahmin
Tamil Brahmins are Tamil-speaking Brahmins from Tamil Nadu who have settled in other South Indian states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka...
family to Saraswati and Dhandapani at Nannilam
Nannilam
Nannilam is a panchayat town in Thiruvarur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This panchayat union includes many villages.Nannilam and the surrounding area is home to many temples, including Madhuvaneshwarar Temple, an old Shiva temple which is located center of the town. The town is a...
in the then Tanjore district
Tanjore District (Madras Presidency)
Tanjore district was one of the districts in the erstwhile Madras Presidency of British India. It covered the area of the present-day districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam and the Aranthangi taluk of Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu...
(now Tiruvarur District
Tiruvarur District
Tiruvarur district is one of the 30 districts in the Tamil Nadu state of India. The district occupies an area of 2161 km². It is lies between Nagapattinam district on the east and Thanjavur district on the west, and is bounded by the Palk Strait on the south...
), 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...
. He completed his B. Sc., (Zoology) in 1949 at Annamalai University
Annamalai University
Annamalai University is a Public University located in Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. The university offers courses of higher education in arts, sciences and engineering.The university also provides around 380 courses under distance mode...
. While working in the Accountant General’s Office as a Superintendent in the 1960s, he came to prominence as an amateur playwright with his dynamic plays like Major Chandrakanth, Server Sundaram, Neerkumizhi, Mezhuguvarthi, Naanal and Navagraham. The plays, which were produced and directed by him, were an instant success and enjoyed both popular and critical acclaim. His films always carried a message for the society, with his personal directorial touch.
Career
K. Balachander is known among actors as a tough taskmaster. He was able to extract from these actors some of their finest acting performances for his films. Before his work in Indian cinema, he was a school teacher in Muthupet, Tiruvarur District, and a playwright.M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
asked him to write dialogues for the film Dheiva Thaai
Dheiva Thaai
Dheiva Thaai is a Tamil language film starring M. G. Ramachandran in the lead role. The film was released in the 1960s.-Cast:...
. His famed films were Tamil productions such as Apoorva Raagangal
Apoorva Raagangal
Apoorva Raagangal is a 1975 Tamil film directed by K. Balachander. This film was controversial upon release as it examines relationships between people with wide age gaps, which challenged Indian social mores. The film went on to win the National Film Awards in 1976...
(1975), which deals with a father-son relationship and inter-generational romance that culminates in a complex quandary. Avargal
Avargal
Avargal is a 1977 Tamil film made by K. Balachander starring Sujatha, Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth. The film had a reputation of being one of most sensitive movies on women’s lib. The same director later remade it into the Telugu film Idi Katha Kaadu with Kamal Hassan repeating his role...
(1977), which follows the life of a divorcée as she traverses relationships in reverse, from divorce, to marriage, to falling in love. Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980), a drama that charts the travails and conflict of being unemployed in a bombastic and harsh city. 47 Natkal
47 Natkal
47 Natkal is a 1981 Indian Tamil drama film directed by K. Balachander starring Chiranjeevi, Jayaprada, Sarath Babu and Ramaprabha. It was simultaneously made into in Telugu as 47 Rojulu Actress Saritha plays herself in a guest role. The film is based on a novel by Sivashankari...
(1981), which traces the adversities of a newly-wed Indian woman living with an scurrilous, expatriate husband in a Parisian suburb; and Sindhu Bhairavi
Sindhu Bhairavi
Sindhu Bhairavi is a 1985 Indian Tamil language drama film directed and produced by K. Balachander starring Sivakumar, Suhasini, Sulakshana, Delhi Ganesh and Janagaraj. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The songs in the film were sung by K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chithra...
(1985), about the intellectual collision and subsequent romance between a lofty Carnatic musician and his ardent female critic. Ek Duuje Ke Liye
Ek Duuje Ke Liye
Ek Duuje Ke Liye is a 1981 Hindi movie directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri. It was a remake of the director's own Telugu movie Maro Charithra. The film was labeled a "blockbuster" at the box office in 1981, earning a total of in receipts....
(1981, Hindi), about cross-cultural romance in India, for which he received two Filmfare
Filmfare
Filmfare is an English-language tabloid-sized magazine about Indian cinema. Published by The Times Group, India's largest media services conglomerate, in Mumbai , it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene...
nominations: direction and best story.
His Telugu films Maro Charithra
Maro Charithra
Maro Charithra is a 1978 Telugu-language Indian feature film directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan, Saritha, Madhavi and Sarath Babu. The film still remains as one of the biggest blockbusters...
and Rudraveena are among the best movies ever made in Telugu film industry. He directed the story about a woman breadwinner taking care of her family in several languages: the Tamil
Tamil 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...
film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974), the 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...
film Anthuleni Katha
Anthuleni Katha
Anthuleni Katha is a 1976 Telugu film directed by K. Balachander. The film is a remake of the 1974 Tamil film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai. This is Jayaprada's first starring role and is considered to be one of her best films. This was also Rajnikanth's first major role. Kamal Hassan played an extended...
(1976), and produced the Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
film Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu
Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu
Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu is a Kannada language film starring Suhasini in the lead role of the protagonist. She received a Filmfare award for her performance. Her real-life uncle Kamal Haasan has a guest role in the film as a bus conductor...
(1983).
His later films include Parthale Paravasam
Parthale Paravasam
The soundtrack for the film was composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Vaali, Vairamuthu and Na. Muthukumar. The soundtrack featured nine songs with most of them remained chart-toppers for many months. Guitarist Rashid Ali had his debut as a vocalist through this film...
(2001) and Poi
Poi (film)
Poi is a Tamil film, directed by K. Balachander.-Review and plot:Valluvanar is an upright political leader in Tamil Nadu much respected for his honesty and uprightness...
(2006). He is credited with discovering new talent in acting, direction, and other technical areas, many of whom have made a mark in their fields. Rajnikanth
Rajnikanth
Rajinikanth is an Indian film actor, media personality, and cultural icon. He made his debut as an actor in the National Film Award-winning motion picture Apoorva Raagangal , directed by K. Balachander, whom the actor considers his mentor....
, a discovery of Balachandar's, and Kamal Hassan, whom he moulded into a great actor, prove this.
His serials, Kai Alavu Manasu, Rayil Sneham, Kadhal Pagadai
Kadhal Pagadai
Kadhal Pagadai was a Tamil television soap directed by veteran Tamil film director K. Balachander. Starring T. V. Varadarajan, Renuka, Venu Arvind, Mohini, Rahman and Mohan V. Ram, the serial was aired on Sun TV between 1997 and 1999....
, Premi
Premi
Premi is a Bengali movie that released in 2004. Directed by Rabi Kinagi, the movie featured Jeet, Jishu Sengupta and Chandana Sharma. This was Chandana Sharma's debut movieThis movie is also the debut of music director Jeet Ganguly.-Plot:...
, Jannal, Anni and others have been successful. "This medium helps to reach out to the public. That's why I am into making serials," says Balachandar. He strongly feels that the three medium of entertainment — theatre, cinema, and television are bound to co-exist. One cannot destroy the other and the public will see what it wants.
After nearly 40 years, and as a homage to his dear friend Nagesh, KB recently returned (and was "reborn" as he claims) to theatre through the play Pournami. Starring Renuka and Poovilangu Mohan among others, the story is about a homemaker whose husband gets caught in Pakistan under the suspicion of being a terrorist.
Personal life
Balachander is married to Rajam. The couple has 3 children, two sons - Kailasam, Prasanna and one daughter Pushpa Kandaswamy, Chief Executive Officer, Kavithalaya Productions.Awards
K. Balachander is a nine-time winner of National Film AwardsNational 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...
. He has received Filmfare Awards
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...
on more than 12 occasions. He was bestowed upon Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema.The award for a particular year is...
, the highest award in Indian cinema
Cinema of India
The cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
in 2011. He also served as the chairman of the Jury of 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...
in the year 1983.
Television serials
- Rayil Sneham (Doordarshan)
- Marmadesam (Sun TV)
- Kasalavu Nesam (Sun TV/Raj TV)
- Premi (Sun TV)
- Kaasu Alavu Nesam (Sun TV)
- Kadhal Pagadai (Sun TV)
- Kai Alavu Manasu (Sun TV/ Raj TV)
- Sahana (Jaya TV)
- Shanthi Nilayam (Jaya TV)
- Anni (Jaya TV)
- Engirrundho Vandhaal (Jaya TV)
- Nilavai pidippom (Raj TV)
- Jannal-1 (Raj TV)
- Jannal-2 (Raj TV)
- Kadhal ondru Vangivandhean (Sun TV)
- Comedy Colony (Jaya TV)
- Chhoti Si Asha (Hindi) (Sony Entertainment Television)
Film artists associated with K. Balachander
K. Balachander is known for introducing new faces to the film industry. He has introduced over 100 actors in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages. Balachander also had long associations with some senior artists in the South Indian film industry like Gemini GanesanGemini Ganesan
Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies....
, Sowcar Janaki
Sowcar Janaki
Sankaramanchi Janaki , popularly known as Shaukar Janaki , is a south-Indian actress who has acted in over 385 Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam films. She also performed on stage in over 300 shows, and performed for TANA all over the United States in 2 Telugu plays created by actor...
, Nagesh
Nagesh (actor)
Nagesh , was a Tamil film actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian during the 1960s. He is regarded as one of the most prolific comedians in Tamil cinema....
and Muthuraman
R. Muthuraman
R. Muthuraman was an Indian actor who has performed in Tamil language films. He was a leading actor during the 60's and 70's and was fondly called Navarasa Thilakam. He has paired with all the leading heroines of his time and acted in over a hundred films. Muthuraman's son Karthik Muthuraman is...
. Even though he was not the one to discover them, he played a prominent role in shaping their career. The following refers to a limited number of film personnel who were either discovered by him or enacted their first major role in a film directed by him.
| Name | Debut film | Major role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamal Hassan | Worked in 36 films | ||
| Rajinikanth | |||
| Chiranjeevi Chiranjeevi Chiranjeevi is a Telugu film actor and a politician. He has appeared primarily in Telugu Cinema along with a few Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in Punadhirallu . However, Pranam Khareedu released at the box office earlier... |
|||
| A.R.Rahman | Roja was produced by Balachander | ||
| Jaishankar Jaishankar Jaishankar is a yester-year actor of the Tamil Film Industry. He is fondly referred to as Thennagathu James Bond . His penchant for dashing roles earned him the sobriquet of James Bond of South India, thanks to his roles in films like Vallavan Oruvan, CID Shankar and so on... |
|||
| Srikanth | |||
| Sivakumar Sivakumar Sivakumar is a Tamil cinema actor who has portrayed a wide range of character roles onscreen. Sivakumar was introduced in the Tamil movie Kaakum karangal which was produced by AVM Productions.... |
|||
| Jaiganesh Jaiganesh Jai Ganesh was a veteran Tamil film actor, who mostly acted in supporting roles and was perhaps best known for his role in films like Aval Oru Thodar Kathai and Attukara Alamelu. His most popular roles have been as a supporting actor or even as a villain in films like Thaayillamal Naanillai,... |
|||
| Y. G. Mahendran | |||
| Radha Ravi Radha Ravi Radha Ravi is a Tamil film and television actor, who played supporting roles throughout his career. He is the son of yesteryear actor, M. R. Radha and the uncle of Vasu Vikram and halfbrother of Raadhika Sarathkumar. He is a chief member of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association... |
|||
| Prakash Raj Prakash Raj Prakash Raj , better known by his stage name Prakash Raj, is a National Award winning actor, director and producer who has worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films. Though he was born in a Tulu family he achieved fame through Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. He got introduced to... |
Mentored by K.B Also acted in some Television serials of Balachander |
||
| Sarath Babu Sarath Babu Sarath Babu is an Indian film actor, who has acted in almost all the major south Indian languages - Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. He has been in the industry for nearly 37 years and has acted in more than 200 movies, most of them in a supporting role. He has acted in 80 films each in... |
|||
| S. V. Shekhar | |||
| Nassar Nassar Nassar is a Tamil actor, producer, writer, director, lyricist, and singer. He has appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and English films. He is often cited as part of India's specialist character actors, along with the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Nana Patekar... |
|||
| Ramesh Aravind Ramesh Aravind Ramesh Aravind or Ramesh is a popular Kannada, Tamil and Telugu movie actor. He is considered one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema.-Early days:... |
Introduced by K.B in 3 languages | ||
| Vivek Vivek (actor) Vivekananthan is an Indian film actor and comedian. He has won four Filmfare Best Comedian Awards for his performances in Run, Saamy, Perazhagan and Sivaji, respectively. In April 2009, Vivek received the Padma Shri award by the Government of India for his contribution to the arts. He was... |
|||
| Rahman Rahman (actor) Rahman is an Indian film actor who has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films... |
The only actor from Malayalam to be nurtured by K.B | ||
| Charle Charle Charle is a South Indian actor who has acted in more than 550 movies. He started his career as a Staff Artist - Actor in Song & Drama Division of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and moved on to perform more than 10000 drama shows in Six years. He was named as Charle and introduced in the... |
|||
| Jayanthi Jayanthi (actress) Jayanthi is an Indian actress. She has appeared in over 500 films, including films in the Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Marathi languages. In Kannada movies, she was honored with the title Abhinaya Sharade.... |
|||
| Lakshmi Lakshmi (actress) Lakshmi Narayan is an Indian National Film Award winning actress who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. Lakshmi has acted in more than 300 films in all south Indian languages apart from few in Bollywood. She has won a Filmfare Best Actress Award and eight Filmfare Awards South.-Early... |
|||
| Jayasudha Jayasudha Jayasudha is an Indian film actress-turned-MLA for the Congress in Secunderabad. She was a famous South Indian actress from the 1970s and 1980s, with most of her films being Telugu films. She has also worked in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and three Hindi films.... |
|||
| Srividya Srividya Srividya was a leading Indian film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in the Tamil film Industry, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed.... |
|||
| Jayachitra Jayachitra Jayachitra was an acting star in South Indian films of the 1970s and 1980s, consisting mostly of Tamil and Telugu films.-Childhood:... |
|||
| Sripriya Sripriya Sripriya is an actress who played leading roles in the 1970s and 1980s in South India. She has acted in Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films, but her main contribution was in Tamil films, where she has acted in over 200 films.-Personal life:... |
|||
| Sujatha Sujatha (actress) Sujatha was a popular South Indian actress who has performed in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi language films, and was best known for restraint and subtlety in portrayal of varied emotions. Sujatha was introduced to the Tamil film industry by veteran director K. Balachander as a... |
|||
| Jayaprada | Her first starring role was in Anthuleni Katha Anthuleni Katha Anthuleni Katha is a 1976 Telugu film directed by K. Balachander. The film is a remake of the 1974 Tamil film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai. This is Jayaprada's first starring role and is considered to be one of her best films. This was also Rajnikanth's first major role. Kamal Hassan played an extended... |
||
| Sridevi | |||
| Madhavi Madhavi (actress) Madhavi is a South Indian film actress. She played lead roles for 17 years in seven languages: Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Bengali, and Hindi. She has acted in more than 300 films.-Early life:... |
|||
| Saritha Saritha Saritha is a South Indian actress. She has acted in at least 141 feature films, and was cast in the television serial Selvi in 2005. Her mainstream career spanned from 1979 to 1989, when she took a break to marry Indian actor and producer Mukesh and raise their two sons... |
Worked in 22 films under Balachander, the most for any actress | ||
| Geetha | |||
| Madhoo Madhoo Madhoo is an actress in Indian films. She has acted in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. She was named after the late Hindi actress Madhubala. She has acted with almost all leading actors in India... |
|||
| Yuvarani | |||
| Vimala Raman Vimala Raman Vimala Raman is an Indian film actress, model and a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. She made her acting debut in the 2006 Tamil film Poi and went on to appear primarily in Malayalam and Telugu films.-Early life:... |
Directors who worked under him
- Ananthu (Co-Director)
- Kamal HaasanKamal HaasanKamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
- VasanthVasanthVasanth is an Indian film director and screenwriter, working in the Tamil film industry. Following a stint as journalist and after assisting K. Balachander, he made his directorial debut with Keladi Kanmani in 1990, which along with the trendsetting Aasai and Rhythm , are considered his finest...
- BalakumaranBalakumaranBalakumaran is a famous Tamil writer, author of over 150 novels, 100 short stories, and dialogue/screenplay writer for over 14 films. He has also contributed to Tamil periodicals such as Kalki, Ananda Vikatan and Kumudam. His writings are noted for a distinct philosophical and religious tone. He...
- Suresh Krishna
- SaranSaran (director)Saran is a Tamil film director from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. He was once an assistant to K. Balachander. He now owns a production house called Gemini Productions.-Life and Career:...
- SelvaraghavanSelvaraghavan-Personal life:Selvaraghavan is the son of film director Kasthuri Raja, elder brother of actor Dhanush and has two sisters, who are both doctors. On 15 December 2006, he married actress Sonia Agarwal, with whom he had previously worked with on three films...
- CheranCheran (director)Cheran is a Tamil film director from Tamil Nadu, India. He has won the Indian National Film Award thrice for Vetri Kodi Kattu , Autograph , and Thavamai Thavamirundhu . Besides he is three-time Filmfare Award winner as well....
- VisuVisuVisu , born 1941 is a Tamil writer, director, stage, film and television actor and talk show host from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Visu fine tuned his directorial skills under the mentor-ship of legendary K. Balachander until becoming a full fledged director...
- VetrimaranVetrimaranVetrimaaran is a Tamil film director, working primarily in the Tamil film industry based in Tamil Nadu. He made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed Polladhavan . His second feature film Aadukalam won six National Film Awards, with Vetrimaaran receiving two awards for Best...
- Seeman
- SamuthirakaniSamuthirakaniSamuthirakani is a Tamil film actor and director. He worked as an assistant to director K. Balachander. His 2009 directorial Naadodigal was a runaway hit, which was later remade in three languages. He has acted in several films as well and is best known for his performances in Subramaniapuram and...