Kailasam Balachander was born on 9th July 1930 into an Tamil Brahmin family) is an Indian producer, director and screenwriter for film. He has directed films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam,. He is known for his discrete filmmaking style; the films he scripts and directs dissect unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. In his career, he has bestow to the Tamil film industry in South India, and has acquainted hundreds of actors, actresses into Tamil cinema including Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Prakashraj and Vivek.
Early life
K. Balachander was born to Saraswati and Dandapani Kailasam in Nannilam, Thanjavur District.
Movie career
Known amongst actors as a tough taskmaster, K. Balachander was capable to infuse from these actors some of their finest acting performances for his films. anterior to his intimacy in Indian cinema, he worked as a school teacher in Muthupet, Tiruvarur District, and as a playwright.
Balachandar has always been ahead of his time, be it films or a TV serial. Initially into theatre, he presented plays like "Edhir Neechal", "Navagraham" etc. It was M. G. Ramachandran who had asked him to write dialogues for the film Deiva Thai.
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 divorcee as she traverses various relationships in reverse, i.e., 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 an 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 - for direction and best story.
His telugu films Maro Charithra and Rudraveena are seen as one of 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 Aralidha Hoovu (1980). In a recent interview to Maa TV Channel, the doyen of Telugu film industry Dadasaheb Phalke winner Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), when asked if there was any unfulfilled wish - has expressed his desire and interest to act in a film directed by Shri K.Balachander! That salutes Balachander to the hilt!
His more recent films include Parthale Paravasam (2001) and Poi (2006). To him goes the credit for discovering new talent in acting, direction, and other technical areas, many of whom have made a mark in their respective fields. Rajnikanth, a discovery of Balachandar and Kamal Hassan, whom he moulded into a great actor, prove this.
His serials, Kai Alavu Manasu, 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 different medium of entertainment — theatre, cinema and television are bound to co-exist. One cannot destroy the other and at any given time 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 himself 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 terorist. The play, riddled with KB's signature humor, intelligent dialogues and political overtones, has been very well received and signals a clean return to the theatre for KB.
Personal life
Balachander is married to Rajam. The couple has 3 children, two sons(Kailasam, Prasanna) and one daughter Pushpa(known as Pushpa Kandaswamy, CEO, Kavithalaya Productions)
Awards
K. Balachander received the Padma Shri award in 1987 from the Indian Government in recognition to his contribution to the arts. His oeuvre consists of about a hundred feature films and some popular television serials. He has introduced almost all the major actors and actresses in Tamil (Rajnikanth, Kamal hassan and Sridevi (as adult actors)).
Film artists associated with K. Balachander
K. Balachander has introduced the Super Stars of South India, Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan. Both consider him as their mentor. Telugu Megastar Chiranjeevi was spotted out by him and was offered in a role in Anthuleni Katha, but could not act since he was a student then at the Madras Film Institute. But howerver, he cast Chiranjeevi in idi katha kaadhu and in other movies like 47 natkal in both tamil and telugu versions. Later he directed him in the National award winning movie Rudraveena. He considers Bapu and K. Balachander as his mentors. A number of popular film personnel in the South Indian film industry. Some of them are:
• Rajnikanth (Introduced him in Apoorva Raagangal and acted in 10 of his movies)
• Kamal Hassan (Introduced him as an adult actor and directed 34 of his movies, the most by any actor)
• Chiranjeevi (Directed him in one of his earliest movies, has worked in 5 films under KB)
• Gemini ganesan
• Nagesh
• Muthuraman
• Jaishankar
• Sarath Babu
• Sivakumar
• Sowcar Janaki
• Madhubala (Introduced in 'Azhagan')
• Jayanthi
• Jayasudha (Introduced through 'Arangetram' and acted in many of his movies)
• Srividya
• Saritha (Introduced in 'Marocharitra' and worked in 22 films under KB)
• Vivek
• Prakash Raj
• Y. G. Mahendran (Introduced in 'Navagraham')
• Nassar (Introduced in 'Kalyana Agathigal)
• Sridevi (Introduced as an adult actor in 'Moondru Mudichu')
• Sujatha (Introduced in 'Aval Oruthodarkathai')
• Saran (director)
• Ramesh Aravind (Introduced by KB in Kannada, Telugu also in tamil)
• Madhavi (Introduced by KB in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi)
• Vimala Raman
• Jayaprada (Introduced in Tamil through 'Manmadhaleelai' and Telugu through 'Anthuleni Katha')
• Sripriya
• Yuvarani
• Geetha
• Charle
• Radha Ravi
Above all, he had produced Roja, which was the first film of A. R. Rahman. So A. R. Rahman was first paid by him. it was actually directed by thye famous maniratnam
Filmography
(For complete list of films see Kailasam Balachander filmography or the navigation template at the bottom of this page)
The following films won the "Best Regional Film" title at the annual Indian National Film Awards:
• Iru Kodugal
• Apoorva Raagangal
• Thaneer Thaneer
• Achamillai Achamillai
• Ethir Neechal
Sindhu Bhairavi
• Arangetram
TV serials
• Marmadesam (Sun TV)
• Kasalavu Nesam (Comedy) (Sun/Raj TV)
• Rayil Sneham (Doordarshan)
• Premi (sun TV)
• Kaasu Alavu Nesam (sun TV)
• Kadhal Pagadai (sun TV)
• Kai Alavu Manasu (suntv/raj TV)
• Sahana (jaya TV)
• Anni (jaya TV)
• Engirrundho Vandhaal (jaya TV)
• Nilavai pidippom (raj TV)
• jannal-1 (raj TV)
• jannal-2 (raj TV) (Maravukavidhaikal)
• Kadhal ondru Vangivandhean (Sun TV)
• Comedy Colony (Comedy) (Jaya TV)
• Other women oriented serials (sun, raj, jaya and all tv channels).
• Mariganesh (Moon TV)
Some assistant directors who are moulded by him:
• Vasanth
• Balakumaran
Flims Of Him Up To Date
Kathanayakudu (2008) - producer
kuselan (2008) - producer
Poi (2006) - director
Vetayadu Vilayadu (2006) - producer
Ayya (2005) - producer
Idhaya Thirudan (2005) - producer
Paarthale Paravasam (2001) - director
Kalki (1996) - director
Duet (1994) - director
Jathi Malli (1992) - director
Roja (1992) - producer
Vaaname Ellai (1992) - director
Arzhagan (1991) - director
Azhakan (1991) - director
Oru Veedu Iru Vasal (1990) - director
Unnai Solli Kutramillai (1990) - producer
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989) - director
Rudra Veena (1988) - director
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988) - director
Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987) - director
Punnagai Mannan (1986) - director
Sundara Swapnagalu (1986) - director
Kalyana Agathigal (1985) - director
Mugila Malligey (1985) - director
Sindhu Bhairavi (1985) - director,writer
Sree Raaghavendar (1985) - producer
Achamillai Achamillai (1984) - director,writer
Ek Nai Paheli (1984) - director
Eradu Rekhagalu (1984) - director
Love Love Love (1984) - director
Benki Alli Aralida Huvu (1983) - director
Kokilamma (1983) - director
Poikkal Kuthirai (1983) - director
Zara Si Zindagi (1983) - director
Agni Sakshi (1982) - director
Pyara Tarana (1982) - director
Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981) - writer,director
47 Natkal (1981) - producer,director
Aadavallu Meeku Joharulu (1981) - director,writer
Aakali Rajyam (1981) - director,writer
Enga Ooru Kannagi (1981) - director
Thaneer Thaneer (1981) - director,writer
Thillu Mullu (1981) - director,writer
Thirakal Ezhuthiya Kavitha (1980) - director
Tholikodi Koosindi (1980) - director
Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980) - director
Andamaina Anubhavam (1979) - director
Edo Saritha (1979) - director
Guppedu Manasu (1979) - director,writer
Idi Kathakaadu (1979) - director,writer
Ninaithale Inikkum (1979) - director
Nool Veli (1979) - director
Maro Charithra (1978) - director,writer
Nizhal Nijamakirathu (1978) - director
Thappitha Thala (1978) - director
Aaina (1977) - writer,director
Avargal (1977) - director
Meethi Meethi Baatein (1977) - director
Oka Thalli Katha (1977) - director
Pattina Pravesam (1977) - director
Anthuleni Katha (1976) - director,writer
Manmatha Leelai (1976) - director
Moondru Mudichu (1976) - director
Apoorva Raagangal (1975) - director
Koti Vidyalu Kuti Korake (1974) - director
Naan Avanillai (1974) - director
Arrangetram (1973) - director
Lokram Maraali (1973) - director
Sollathan Ninaikiren (1973) - director
Kanna Nalama (1972) - director
Velli Vizha (1972) - director
Bomma Borusa (1971) - director,writer
Nangu Suvargal (1971) - director
Nootrukku Noor (1971) - director
Punnagai (1971) - director
Ethiroli (1970) - director
Kaviyath Thalaivi (1970) - director
Navagraham (1970) - director
Patham Pasali (1970) - director
Iru Kodagal (1969) - director
Poova Thalaya (1969) - director
Sattekalapu Satteya (1969) - director
Ethir Neechal (1968) - director
Thamarai Nenjam (1968) - director
Anubavi Raja Anubavi (1967) - director,writer
Bama Vijam (1967) - director
Major Chandrakant (1966) - director
Naanal (1965) - director
Neer Kumizhi (1965) - director
