K. Balachander

{{short description|Indian film director

and screenwriter

( 1930 - 2014)}}

{{Infobox person

| honorific_prefix =

| name = K. Balachandar

| image = K Balachander.jpg

| caption =

| birth_name = Kailasam Balachandar

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1930|07|09}}

| birth_place = Nannilam, Madras Presidency, British India

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2014|12|23|1930|07|09}}

| death_place = Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

| body_discovered =

| resting_place =

| education =

| alma_mater =

| other_names =

| occupation = Playwright, Film director, Film producer, Screenwriter, Actor

| years_active = 1964–2015

| works = Full list

| spouse = {{Marriage|Rajam|1956}}

| domestic_partner =

| children = 3, including Bala Kailasam

| awards = Full list

| honours = {{unbulleted list|Kalaimamani|Padma Shri|Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2010)|ANR National Award}}

| signature =

| website =

}}

Kailasam Balachandar (9 July 1930 – 23 December 2014) was an Indian playwright, film director, film producer, screenwriter and actor who worked mainly in the Tamil cinema. He was well known for his distinct film-making style, and the Indian film industry knew him as a master of unconventional themes and hard-hitting contemporary subject matter. Balachander's films are well known for their portrayal of women as bold personalities and central characters. Popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Sigaram (lit. "Director Paramount"),{{cite web|last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |title=The Very Best of K Balachander |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-ten-pathbreaking-films-by-k-balachander/20110502.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=28 September 2013 |date=2 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229043352/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-ten-pathbreaking-films-by-k-balachander/20110502.htm |archive-date=29 December 2014 }}{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} his films are usually centred on unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He started his film career in 1964 as a screenwriter and graduated to a director with Neerkumizhi (1965).

In a career that spanned 50 years, he had contributed to nearly 100 feature films either as a screenwriter or director, thus becoming one of the most prolific filmmakers in the country.{{cite web|title=K. Balachander: The Middle-Class Maestro |url=http://forbesindia.com/article/recliner/k-balachander-the-middleclass-maestro/26662/1 |access-date=30 September 2013 |author=S. Srinivasan |date=11 July 2011 |quote=Five decades of adamant, uncompromising movie making and K. Balachander is still in no mood to draw the curtain |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002044205/http://forbesindia.com/article/recliner/k-balachander-the-middleclass-maestro/26662/1 |archive-date=2 October 2013 }} Known among his colleagues as a tough task master,{{cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |title=I hated every minute of it |url=http://www.rediff.in/movies/2000/may/13jaya.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=30 September 2013 |date=13 May 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003051007/http://www.rediff.in/movies/2000/may/13jaya.htm |archive-date=3 October 2013 }} he was credited with having nurtured numerous actors, notably Nagesh, Sujatha, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Jaya Prada, Sridevi, Jayasudha, Saritha, Renuka, Nassar, Prakash Raj, Ramesh Aravind and Vivek.

In his film career, Balachander had won 9 National Film Awards, 11 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards,

five Nandi Awards and 13 Filmfare Awards. He was honored with the Padma Shri (1987), India's fourth highest civilian award, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in cinema.

He also made films under his production house, Kavithalaya Productions. Apart from Tamil, he made films in other languages such as Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. Towards the tail end of his career, he directed a few TV serials and made a few film appearances as well.

Early life and background

K. Balachander was born in Tanjore district (now Tiruvarur district), India.{{cite news|title=The KB school |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/the-kb-school/article1994969.ece |access-date=25 September 2013 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=6 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927054556/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/the-kb-school/article1994969.ece |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/23234000/cinema-history.html |title=வரலாறு படைத்த டைரக்டர் கே.பாலசந்தர் |trans-title=K. Balachander the director who created history |access-date=2014-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108002132/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/23234000/cinema-history.html |archive-date=8 January 2014 }} Balachander stated that, "From my eighth year I've been seeing cinema"{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} and recalls that his earliest interest towards cinema grew after watching films of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, then the Superstar of Tamil cinema.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} At the age of twelve he was drawn to theatre and drama,{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} which eventually helped him develop an interest in acting, writing and directing amateur plays.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000309182240/http://dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinebio/16-06-99/balachan.htm| url=http://dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinebio/16-06-99/balachan.htm|title=Cine Biography: Director K. Balachander|work=dinakaran|date=9 March 2000|archive-date=2000-03-09}} His obsession towards theatre continued even while doing his graduation (in Zoology) at the Annamalai University, as he regularly took part in stage plays.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} After completing his graduation in 1949, he started his career as a school teacher in Muthupet, Tiruvarur district. In 1950, he moved to Madras (now Chennai) and joined the Accountant General's office as an apprentice clerk,{{cite news|last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |title=When directors wore the pants |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/01/21/stories/2009012150190100.htm |access-date=25 September 2013 |date=21 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928042948/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/01/21/stories/2009012150190100.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-date=28 September 2013 }} and during this time he joined "United Amateur Artistes", an amateur drama company.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} Soon he formed his own troupe and it was during this time he came to prominence as an amateur playwright with Major Chandrakanth, written in English. As the scope of English was highly limited in Madras, he re-wrote the play in Tamil, which ultimately became a "sensation" among the people. Balachander's acting troupe consisted of people from the Tamil film industry such as Major Sundarrajan, Nagesh, Srikanth and Sowcar Janaki. Sunderrajan appeared in over 900 films, Nagesh in over 1,000, Sreekanth in more than 200 films, and Sowkar Janaki appeared in more than 350 films. Other plays written by Balachander include Server Sundaram (Waiter Sundaram), Neerkumizhi (Water Bubble), Mezhuguvarthi (Candle), Naanal (Tall Grass) and Navagraham (Nine Planets).{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} All these produced and directed by him, were received well by the critics.

Career

=Entry into films: 1960s=

Balachander while working in the Accountant General's office, was offered to write the dialogues for the film Dheiva Thaai (1964) by its lead actor MGR. M. G. Ramachandran.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}}{{cite news|title="பால்கே" விருது பெற்ற பாலச்சந்தருக்கு நடிகர்கள் வாழ்த்து |url=http://www.maalaimalar.com/2011/04/30112858/actors-wishes-to-balachander.html |access-date=25 September 2013 |newspaper=Maalai Malar |date=30 April 2011 |language=ta |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101244/http://www.maalaimalar.com/2011/04/30112858/actors-wishes-to-balachander.html |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/24231902/balachandhar-cinema-history.html |title=திரை உலகுக்கு வாருங்கள்: பாலசந்தருக்கு எம்.ஜி.ஆர். அழைப்பு |trans-title=MGR invited Balachander to film industry |access-date=2014-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312173208/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/24231902/balachandhar-cinema-history.html |archive-date=12 March 2014 }}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030629111323/http://www.chennaionline.com/entertainment/filmplus/balachander.asp|url=http://www.chennaionline.com/entertainment/filmplus/balachander.asp|title=Balachander - the maverick and the master|date=29 June 2003|archive-date=29 June 2003|website=Chennai Online}} Balachander was initially reluctant, as he was more theatre-oriented, but on the insistence of his friends he decided to work on the film.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} By this time he was promoted as a superintendent in his office.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} Avichi Meiyappa Chettiar acquired the rights of his play Server Sundaram, and decided to make a film based on it. The film dealt with the story of a waiting staff at a restaurant had Nagesh playing the lead. The film was directed by the renowned duo directors, Krishnan–Panju.{{cite news|title=The KB school |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-kb-school/article1985626.ece |access-date=25 September 2013 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=2 May 2011 |author=Randor Guy |author-link=Randor Guy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927134307/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-kb-school/article1985626.ece |archive-date=27 September 2013 }} It won a lot of accolades including the Certificate of Merit for the third Best Feature Film in Tamil and Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Film. During this time another play written and directed by him - Major Chandrakanth was adapted into a film in Hindi as Oonche Log.{{cite news|title=Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth's guru K Balachander passes away |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-kamal-haasan-and-rajinikanth-s-guru-k-balachander-passes-away-2046580 |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |date=24 December 2014 |author=Yogesh Pawar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227045512/http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-kamal-haasan-and-rajinikanth-s-guru-k-balachander-passes-away-2046580 |archive-date=27 December 2014 }} The film won a National Film Award. Balachander then made his directional debut through Neerkumizhi (1965) which in turn was based on his own play. The film's cast consisted of actors who were a part of Balachander's regular troupe. His following efforts included Naanal, Major Chandrakanth and Ethir Neechal, all based on his own plays.{{cite news|last=Sreeram |first=Aruna |title=Thank God! I gave up acting |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/07/08/stories/2004070800200200.htm |access-date=25 September 2013 |date=8 July 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928042950/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/07/08/stories/2004070800200200.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-date=28 September 2013 }} Major Chandrakanth was already filmed in Hindi as Oonche Log the previous year. Major Chandrakanth had Jayalalithaa playing the lead heroine role. In 1967 he made Bama Vijayam, a full-length comedy family drama film. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film was highly successful and remade in Telugu by Balachander himself. The success of both the versions prompted a Hindi remake titled Teen Bahuraniyan, produced by Gemini pictures. In 1969, Balachander made Iru Kodugal, a family drama starring Gemini Ganesan, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}

=1970s=

During the 1970s, Balachander turned indie, making realist movies revolving around family and social issues.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} In 1971 he made four films.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}}

In 1973, he made Arangetram, which dealt with poverty and prostitution.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} The film centred on the eldest daughter of a conservative Brahmin household who becomes a prostitute to settle her siblings and support her family.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 6 (Madras)}} It was ahead of its time in Tamil cinema mainly because of the controversial theme.{{cite news|last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |title=Realistic film-making |url=http://hindu.com/2001/12/01/stories/2001120100860200.htm |access-date=25 September 2013 |date=1 December 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928042650/http://hindu.com/2001/12/01/stories/2001120100860200.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/26225712/balachandhar-cinema-history.html |title=புரட்சிகரமான கதை -வசனம்: பரபரப்பை உண்டாக்கிய 'அரங்கேற்றம்' |trans-title=Revolutionary subject: Arangetram created sensation |access-date=2014-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018011658/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/26225712/balachandhar-cinema-history.html |archive-date=18 October 2014 }} The film also had Kamal Haasan playing his first major role as an adult actor. The actor would go on to act in 35 films under Balachander.{{cite news|title=Artiste with endless dreams |url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/05/25/stories/09250228.htm |access-date=25 September 2013 |date=25 May 2001 |author=Subhash K. Jha |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928042945/http://www.hindu.com/2001/05/25/stories/09250228.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-date=28 September 2013 }} He made his directorial debut in Hindi films with the film Aaina starring Mumtaz and Rajesh Khanna in 1977, which was remake of Arangetram.{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}

The same year, he made Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, based on a novel by Manian. The following year he made Naan Avanillai.{{cite news|title=An entertaining remake of a classic |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/02/stories/2007050215890200.htm |access-date=1 October 2013 |date=2 May 2007 |author=S.R. Ashok Kumar |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215637/http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/02/stories/2007050215890200.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-date=4 October 2013 }} He made the film on the insistence of Gemini Ganesan, who also produced and enacted the lead role.{{cite news|title=ஜெமினிகணேசன் சொந்தமாக தயாரித்த ஒரே படம்: "நான் அவனில்லை" தோல்வி |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2010/03/19103731/gemini.html |access-date=1 October 2013 |newspaper=Maalai Malar |date=19 March 2010 |language=ta |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005015642/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2010/03/19103731/gemini.html |archive-date=5 October 2013 }} It is based on the Marathi play To Mee Navhech, revolved around a man who deceives and marries five women performing nine roles. The film met with commercial failure. However, Gemini Ganesan was adjudged the Best Tamil Actor at the following year's Filmfare Awards ceremony. Following that, Balachander's made Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974),{{cite web |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/27224519/balachandhar-cinema-history.html |title=பாலசந்தரின் மற்றொரு புதுமைப்படைப்பு- 'அவள் ஒரு தொடர்கதை' |trans-title=Balachander's another different kind of subject - Aval Oru Thodarkathai |access-date=2014-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322120608/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/27224519/balachandhar-cinema-history.html |archive-date=22 March 2014 }} his second female-centric film after Arangetram that dealt with the story of a working woman who hails from a middle-class family.{{Sfn|Velayutham|2008|p=38}} Inspired by the 1960 Bengali film Meghe Dhaka Tara,{{Sfn|Deep Focus|1998|p=87}} it explored the emotions of a young woman who happens to be the sole earner for her family.{{Sfn|Velayutham|2008|p=38}} He decided to cast an actress who worked as a child actress till then, as his film heroine with the film Mondru Moodichu and gave break to Sridevi.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/K-Balachander-changed-my-life-forever-Sridevi/articleshow/45628868.cms |title=K Balachander changed my life forever: Sridevi |website=The Times of India |access-date=2014-12-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227225032/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/K-Balachander-changed-my-life-forever-Sridevi/articleshow/45628868.cms |archive-date=27 December 2014 }} The film Aboorva Raagangal was an original story about an inter-generational romance involving two families. It marked the acting debut of Rajinikanth, who would go on to establish himself as a leading actor.{{cite web |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/28214323/balachandhar-cinema-history.html |title='அபூர்வ ராகங்கள்' படத்தில் ரஜினிகாந்த் அறிமுகம் |trans-title=Rajinikanth got introduced with Apoorva Ragangal |access-date=2014-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312222857/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/28214323/balachandhar-cinema-history.html |archive-date=12 March 2014 }} It won critical acclaim in spite of its controversial theme; it won three National Film Awards including the award for the "Best Feature Film in Tamil".{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}

During this period he made films mostly with Kamal Haasan as the lead actor. In 1976, he made three films: Manmadha Leelai, Anthuleni Katha and Moondru Mudichu. Manmadha Leelai explores the life of a womaniser, played by Kamal Haasan, who gets himself involved in affairs with women.{{cite news|title=New twist to old tales|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/New-twist-to-old-tales/articleshow/14732716.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195038/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-08/news-interviews/32578169_1_kamal-haasan-thillu-mullu-films|url-status=live|archive-date=29 October 2013|access-date=28 September 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|date=8 July 2012|author=V Lakshmi}} Often considered ahead of its time, it achieved cult status and is considered a "trendsetter" in Tamil cinema. Anthuleni Katha, a Telugu remake of Aval Oru Thodar Kathai had Jaya Prada in her first starring role. received equal acclaim in Andhra Pradesh as in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Avargal (1977) follows the life of a divorcée as she traverses relationships in reverse, from divorce, to marriage, to falling in love. Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980) was a drama that charts the travails and conflict of being unemployed in a bombastic and harsh city. 47 Natkal (1981) traces the adversities of a newlywed Indian woman living with an scurrilous, expatriate husband in a Parisian suburb. The film was a launchpad for its lead actor Chiranjeevi.{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}

=Bollywood success and Tamil film career 1981-99=

File:The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting the Dada Sahab Phalke Award 2010 to Shri K. Balachander, at the 58th National Film Awards function, in New Delhi on September 09, 2011.jpg]]

Balachander re-entered the Hindi film industry after Aaina through Ek Duuje Ke Liye in 1981. He gave Rati Agnihotri her debut Hindi film with Ek Duje Ke Liye.{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/k-balachander-discovered-me-for-hindi-cinema-rati-agnihotri/519865-8-66.html |title=K Balachander discovered me for Hindi cinema: Rati Agnihotri |access-date=2014-12-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228181125/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/k-balachander-discovered-me-for-hindi-cinema-rati-agnihotri/519865-8-66.html |archive-date=28 December 2014 }} The project was a remake of his own Telugu film Maro Charitra had Kamal Haasan repeating his role as a lead actor. The film marked the Bollywood debut of various artists including Kamal Haasan, Madhavi and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. Like the original, Ek Duuje Ke Liye emerged as a major box-office success and earned critical acclaim. Balachander received the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay, apart from two other nominations – for Best Director and Best Story.{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/may/13jaya.htm |title=rediff.com, Movies: The Jayasudha interview |work=Rediff.com |date=13 May 2000 |access-date=5 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418065331/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/may/13jaya.htm |archive-date=18 April 2015 }} The song "Tere Meere Beach Mein" became so popular, eventually winning a Filmfare Award for Anand Bakshi and a National Film Award for Balasubrahmanyam.{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}

He made Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), which is about the intellectual collision and subsequent romance between a lofty Carnatic musician and his ardent critic. He has worked with a variety of music directors like V.Kumar, M.S.Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraja, Maragathamani, V. S. Narasimhan and A.R.Rahman. The actors who were regular in his films in the period 1963 to 1990 were Gemini Ganeshan, Sowcar Janaki, Nagesh, Jayanthi, Sujatha, Saritha, Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan.{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}

=Later years=

In 1998, he planned a film titled Thillana Thillana featuring Prashanth, Karthik, Meena and Simran, but the venture failed to develop.{{Cite web |url=http://reocities.com/Hollywood/lot/2330/rangan.htm |title=Gokul's Home Page |access-date=10 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605172119/http://reocities.com/Hollywood/lot/2330/rangan.htm |archive-date=5 June 2017 |url-status=dead }} His later films include Parthale Paravasam (2001) and Poi (2006). In 2003 he penned and produced all time hit film Thirumalai starring Vijay (actor) and Jyotika. In which became a turning point in vijay's career, made him an action hero.

{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?213789 |title=K. Balachander |publisher=www.outlookindia.com |date=19 November 2001 |access-date=5 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120204042/http://outlookindia.com/article.aspx?213789 |archive-date=20 January 2011 }}

=Television career=

The period starting from the late 1980s till the late 1990s saw Balachander venturing into Television and making a number of Television series including Kai Alavu Manasu, Rail Sneham,{{cite news|title=Release of K. Balachander's DVDs |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/07/09/stories/2010070950780200.htm |access-date=30 September 2013 |date=9 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820153925/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/07/09/stories/2010070950780200.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-date=20 August 2010 }} Ramany vs Ramany(a.k.a. Ramani vs Ramani), Oru Koodai Paasam, Kadhal Pagadai,{{cite news|last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |title=The drive to be different |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2001/12/31/stories/2001123100050200.htm |access-date=30 September 2013 |date=31 December 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108132419/http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2001/12/31/stories/2001123100050200.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-date=8 November 2012 }} Premi, Jannal, Kasalavu Nesam, and Anni.{{cite news|last=Sundaram|first=Lakshmi|title=From Sindhu Bhairavi to Sahana|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2003031200080200.htm&date=2003/03/12/&prd=mp&|access-date=30 September 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=12 March 2003|quote=K. Balachandar always tries to be different. This time, he has come up with yet another innovative idea... of making a teleserial "Sahana" that is a sequel to his popular film, "Sindhu Bhairavi"}}{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Like his earlier films, most of his serials focussed on women, and portrayed them as strong personalities. Kasalvu Nesam was one of his comedy hits, starring Venu Aravind. In 2003, he made Sahana, that touted to be the sequel of his 1985 film Sindhu Bairavi. On venturing into Television, he noted "This medium helps to reach out to the public. That's why I am into making serials". In 2009, Balachander returned to theatre after a 40-year hiatus through the play Pournami, which had Renuka playing the lead role.{{cite news|title=My First Break |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/04/17/stories/2009041750391600.htm |access-date=30 September 2013 |date=17 April 2009 |author=S.R. Ashok Kumar |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108145128/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/04/17/stories/2009041750391600.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-date=8 November 2012 }}

Personal life

In 1956, Balachander married Rajam while he was working at the Accountant General's Office. The couple had two sons named Kailasam and Prasanna and a daughter Pushpa Kandaswamy, who is the chairwoman of their production house Kavithalaya Productions.{{cite news|title=Joint ventures as future option |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/07/05/stories/2008070550240400.htm |access-date=30 September 2013 |date=5 July 2008 |author=G. Prasad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223030653/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/07/05/stories/2008070550240400.htm |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-date=23 February 2014 }}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000118090951/http://dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinebio/23-06-99/balacha2.htm|work=dinakaran|date=18 January 2000|url=http://dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinebio/23-06-99/balacha2.htm|archive-date=18 January 2000|title=Cine Biography: Director K.Balachander (part 2)}} Kailasam was an entrepreneur while Prasanna, a Chartered Accountant, is the managing director and CEO of a leading investment bank in India. Balachander's elder son, Bala Kailasam, died on 15 August 2014 after contracting pneumonia, at the age of 54. He was the head of the television production company Minbinbangal, and delivered memorable series in Tamil includes, Balachandarin Chinnathirai, Kaialavu Manasu, Rail Sneham, and Marma Desam.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/K-Balachanders-son-passes-away/articleshow/40313952.cms |title=K Balachander's son passes away |website=The Times of India |access-date=2014-12-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016035403/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/K-Balachanders-son-passes-away/articleshow/40313952.cms |archive-date=16 October 2014 }}

Death

Following a neurosurgery in November 2014, Balachander was admitted to Kauvery Hospital in Chennai on 15 December.{{cite news|last1=Daniel |first1=Thimmayya |title=Rajini and Kamal's Mentor K Balachander in Critical Condition |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Rajini-and-Kamals-Mentor-K-Balachander-in-Critical-Condition/2014/12/15/article2572763.ece |access-date=23 December 2014 |work=The New Indian Express |date=15 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115000215/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Rajini-and-Kamals-Mentor-K-Balachander-in-Critical-Condition/2014/12/15/article2572763.ece |archive-date=15 November 2015 }} Reports suggested that he was suffering from fever and from a urinary tract infection, but was recovering well.{{cite web|title=Filmmaker K Balachander Hospitalised |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/filmmaker-k-balachander-hospitalised-713580 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=23 December 2014 |date=16 December 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223200811/http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/filmmaker-k-balachander-hospitalised-713580 |archive-date=23 December 2014 }} However, on 23 December 2014 he died due to complications from the urinary infection and other age-related ailments.{{cite news|title=K Balachander Death: Stars Pay Last Respects to Legendary Director |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/k-balachander-death-stars-pay-last-respects-legendary-director-photos-618153 |newspaper=International Business Times |date=24 December 2014 |author=Prakash Upadhyaya |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226111741/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/k-balachander-death-stars-pay-last-respects-legendary-director-photos-618153 |archive-date=26 December 2014 }}{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/K-Balachander-veteran-Tamil-film-director-dies-at-84/articleshow/45619435.cms |title=K Balachander, veteran Tamil film director, dies at 84 |work=The Times of India |author=Janani Sampath | date=23 December 2014 | access-date=23 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.25cineframes.com/legendary-director-balachander-is-no-more.html |title=Legendary Director Balachander is no more. |publisher=25cineframes.com |access-date=23 December 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223232911/http://www.25cineframes.com/legendary-director-balachander-is-no-more.html |archive-date=23 December 2014 }} He was cremated with full state honours the next day.{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}

Style, critique and public perception

Balachander is revered as one of the best directors India has ever produced. His ideas were original and his subjects were complex ideas expressed via art. He is also known for introducing new faces to the film industry. He has introduced over 100 actors in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages. Balachander had long associations with some senior artists in the South Indian film industry like Gemini Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki, Nagesh and Muthuraman. Even though he was not the one to discover them, he played a prominent role in shaping their careers.

Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, two leading film actors in Tamil cinema, are often referred to as products of Balachander who has paired with each of them or worked with them as a trio in several films during the 1970s.{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/obituary-k-balachander/article6719771.ece |title=Obituary: K. Balachander |work=The Hindu |access-date=2016-06-21 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226083447/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/obituary-k-balachander/article6719771.ece |archive-date=26 December 2014 }} Rajinikanth was chosen by Balachander to play a key supporting character in Apoorva Raagangal (1975) after noting that "there was something special about him". Sridevi, Srividhya, Jayapradha, Jayasudha, Jayachithra, Sujatha, Saritha were notable heroines that were introduced by Balachander. Nassar, Delhi Ganesh, Charlie, Madan Bob were some of the notable supporting actors introduced by him. After working in a few Kannada films, Prakash Raj was relaunched as an actor in Tamil cinema through his debut Duet (1994) and had also performed in some of Balachander's soap opera productions in the 1990s.{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/k-balachander-left-a-mark-on-kannada-cinema/article6720093.ece|title=K. Balachander left a mark on Kannada cinema|first=Muralidhara|last=Khajane|date=24 December 2014|via=www.thehindu.com}} Through Manathil Uruthi Vendum, Balachander launched Vivek as an actor, who initially worked with him as his assistant writer, and later went on to become a leading comedy actor. He also launched A.R. Rahman in the film Roja which was his production.

When the old era was dominated by commercial action films, Balachander directed socially themed films with women as protagonists usually centred on unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He portrayed women as headstrong, intelligent and independent people.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/he-took-tamil-cinema-beyond-herocentric-creations/article6719996.ece|title=He took Tamil cinema beyond hero-centric creations|first=B.|last=Kolappan|newspaper=The Hindu|date=23 December 2014|via=www.thehindu.com}} Balachander revealed that many of his messages from his films, he has drawn inspiration from poet Subramaniya Bharathi whom he had admired since his childhood.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article4185281.ece |title=K. Balachander on Bharathiyar |work=The Hindu |date=10 December 2012 |access-date=2016-06-21 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214072528/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article4185281.ece |archive-date=14 December 2013 }} Screenwriter Gopu (of Gopu-Babu) said that he used to begin his script from the ending and then construct the plot.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/kb-would-always-build-stories-from-the-climax/article6723550.ece|title=KB would always build stories from the climax|first=Udhav|last=Naig|newspaper=The Hindu|date=25 December 2014|via=www.thehindu.com}}

Filmography

Awards and nomination

{{See also|List of awards and nominations received by K. Balachander}}

Documentary

A documentary is getting ready about him. Ravisubramaniyan is selected by Kavithalaya for making documentary, to be released on 9 July 2020, the 90th birthday of the veteran Indian filmmaker.[https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/541815-kodambakkam-junction.html கோடம்பாக்கம் சந்திப்பு, கவிதாலயாவின் தேர்வு, இந்து தமிழ் திசை, 28 பிப்ரவரி 2020] ^{[https://minnambalam.com/public/s%e0%ae%95%e0%af%87-%e0%ae%aa%e0%ae%bf-%e0%ae%aa%e0%af%86%e0%ae%a3%e0%af%8d%e0%ae%95%e0%ae%b3%e0%af%88-%e0%ae%b9%e0%af%80%e0%ae%b0%e0%af%8b%e0%ae%86%e0%ae%95%e0%af%8d%e0%ae%95/ [51]]}

Notes

Bibliography

{{cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |title=Rajnikanth: The Definitive Biography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3mzyPGSfwKMC |year=2012 |publisher=Penguin Books Limited |isbn=978-81-8475-796-5}}
{{cite book |last=Velayutham |first=Selvaraj |title=Tamil Cinema: The Cultural Politics of India's other Film Industry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kuPaE3v22zAC&pg=PA38 |year=2008 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-203-93037-3}}
{{cite book |title=Deep Focus: A Film Quarterly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y2J2AAAAIAAJ |year=1998 |publisher=Deep Focus |ref={{harvid|Deep Focus|1998}}}}