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 K. Balachander was a highly revered Indian film personality, whose directorial and production works are especially in the Tamil Cinema. He had his unique style of film-making, in which he diligently incorporated unconventional themes, contemporary subject matters, complicated interpersonal relationships and socially relevant themes. He has left his mark in the film industry with an illustrious range of films, not only restricted to Tamil cinema but also in Kannada, Telugu and Hindi cinemas. He is referred to as ‘Iyakunar Sigaram’, which means ‘the director who scaled the peak’ in Tamil. He had mentored some prominent figures of Indian cinema like; Kamal Hassan, Rajnikanth and Prakash Raj.
Early Life of K. Balachander
K. Balachander or Kailasam Balachander was born on July 9, 1930 into a Tamil household, in the Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. His earliest interest in cinema grew in his very childhood watching films of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, the then Superstar in Tamil films. He was driven towards theatre and drama while growing up, and developed interest in acting, writing and directing amateur plays by engaging in the same. While pursuing his graduation from Annamalai University, he continued to revel in his passion of theatre. He later joined an amateur drama company after working in different jobs for some time and soon formed his own troupe. He wrote ‘Major Chandrakanth’, a play in English that he rewrote in Tamil, after which it became a sensation among people. He gained prominence as an amateur playwright with this play. He produced and directed several critically appreciated plays.
 Film Career of K. Balachander
Starting out as an enthusiastic playwright and stage director, K. Balachander went on to write and direct almost 100 films, while also producing and acting in some. Two of his plays ‘Server Sundaram’ and ‘Major Chandrakanth’ were adapted into a Tamil and a Hindi film respectively, and both the films were recognised with accolades.
K. Balachander made his directorial debut in ‘Neerkumizhi’ in 1965, based on his own play of the same name, with actors from his own troupe. He made other plays of his own into Tamil films, one of which is ‘Major Chandrakanth’ had Jayalalitha, the actor-turned-politician playing the lead heroine. In 1967, he wrote and directed ‘Barna Vijayam’, a comedy family drama with an ensemble cast. It was very successful and he remade it in Telugu. The success of both the versions drove the Hindi remake of the same titled ‘Teen Bahuraniyan’. His another family drama was ‘Iru Kodugal’ in 1969, starring Gemini Ganesan.
In the 1970s, K. Balachander made several unconventional off-beat films with feminism and womanhood as the driven plot, portraying women as bold personalities and central characters. He re-entered Bollywood with ‘Ek Duuje Ke Liye’ adapting his successful Telugu original, in 1981. It earned critical acclaim and major success at box office, also winning Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay. His later years’ films included his 100th film project ‘Parthale Paravasam’ in 2001 and ‘Poi’ in 2006.
Television Career of K. Balachander
K. Balachander also ventured into television with serials like ‘Kadhal Pagadai’, ‘Premi’ and several others, most of which again focussed on women as his early films. He also returned to theatre after 40 years with a play ‘Pournami’.
Filmography of K. Balachander
The following are the filmography of K. Balachander:
| 1964 |
Dheiva Thaai |
Tamil |
1978 |
Nizhal Nijamagiradhu |
Tamil |
|
Server Sundaram |
Tamil |
|
Maro Charithra |
Telugu |
| 1965 |
Oonche Log |
Hindi |
|
Thappu Thalangal |
Tamil |
|
Poojaikku Vandha Malar |
Tamil |
|
Thappida Thala |
Kannada |
|
Neerkumizhi |
Tamil |
|
Balapareekshanam |
Malayalam |
|
Neela Vanam |
Tamil |
1979 |
Ninaithale Inikkum |
Tamil |
|
Naanal |
Tamil |
|
Andamaina Anubhavam |
Telugu |
|
Major Chandrakanth |
Tamil |
|
Nool Veli |
Tamil |
| 1966 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Urandhakallu Oesthu Naaru Jackraga |
Tamil |
|
Guppedu Manasu |
Telugu |
| 1967 |
Bama Vijayam |
Tamil |
|
Idi Katha Kaadu |
Telugu |
|
Anubavi Raja Anubavi |
Tamil |
|
Kazhagan |
Telugu |
| 1968 |
Ethir Neechal |
Tamil |
1980 |
Varumayin Niram Sivappu |
Tamil |
|
Thamarai Nenjam (film) |
Tamil |
1981 |
Aakali Rajyam |
Telugu |
|
Bhale Kodalu |
Telugu |
|
Adavaalu Meeku Joharulu |
Telugu |
|
Sukha Dukhaalu |
Telugu |
|
Enga Ooru Kannagi |
Tamil |
|
Teen Bahuraniyan |
Hindi |
|
Tholikodi Koosindi |
Telugu |
| 1969 |
Poova Thalaiya |
Tamil |
|
Thillu Mullu |
Tamil |
|
Sattekalapu Satteya |
Telugu |
|
Thaneer Thaneer |
Tamil |
|
Iru Kodugal |
Tamil |
|
Ek Duuje Ke Liye |
Hindi |
|
Chiranjeevi |
Telugu |
|
47 Natkal |
Tamil |
| 1970 |
Patham Pasali |
Tamil |
|
47 Rojulu |
Telugu |
|
Ethiroli |
Tamil |
1982 |
Agni Sakshi |
Tamil |
|
Navagraham |
Tamil |
|
Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu |
Kannada |
|
Kaviya Thalaivi |
Tamil |
|
Poikkal Kudhirai |
Tamil |
|
Sambarala Rambabu |
Telugu |
|
Zara Si Zindagi |
Hindi |
|
Bheekara Nimishangal |
Malayalam |
1983 |
Kokilamma |
Telugu |
| 1971 |
Naangu Suvargal |
Tamil |
1984 |
Ek Nai Paheli |
Hindi |
|
Nootrukku Nooru |
Tamil |
|
Achamillai Achamillai |
Tamil |
|
Bomma Borusa |
Telugu |
|
Eradu Rekhegalu |
Kannada |
|
Moogabrama |
Telugu |
|
Kalyana Agathigal |
Tamil |
|
Punnagai |
Tamil |
|
Sindhu Bhairavi |
Tamil |
|
Lakhon Mein Ek |
Hindi |
1985 |
Mugila Mallige |
Kannada |
|
Main Sunder Hoon |
Hindi |
1986 |
Sundara Swapnagalu |
Kannada |
| 1972 |
Kanna Nalama |
Tamil |
|
Punnagai Mannan |
Tamil |
|
Velli Vizha |
Tamil |
1987 |
Manathil Uruthi Vendum |
Tamil |
|
Haar Jeet |
Hindi |
1988 |
Rudraveena |
Telugu |
|
Aaradimanninte Janmi |
Malayalam |
|
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi |
Tamil |
| 1973 |
Arangetram |
Tamil |
1989 |
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal |
Tamil |
|
Sollathaan Ninaikkiren |
Tamil |
1990 |
Oru Veedu Iru Vasal |
Tamil |
| 1974 |
Aval Oru Thodar Kathai |
Tamil |
1991 |
Azhagan |
Tamil |
|
Naan Avanillai |
Tamil |
1992 |
Vaaname Ellai |
Tamil |
|
Jeevitha Rangam |
Telugu |
|
Dilon Ka Rishta |
Hindi |
| 1975 |
Apoorva Raagangal |
Tamil |
1993 |
Jathi Malli |
Tamil |
| 1976 |
Manmadha Leelai |
Tamil |
1994 |
Duet |
Tami
Awards and Achievements of K. Balachander
An innumerably awarded film personality, K. Balachander had won nine National Film Awards and 13 Filmfare Awards for his works. He was also conferred with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1987 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award in cinema. K. Balachander had won multiple awards in different categories, for his works in screenplay as writer, for direction and for films he produced. The varied list incorporates:
 9 National Film Awards including:
•Best Tamil Film for ‘Iru Kodugal’ (1969), ‘Apoorva Raagangal’ (1975),
‘Thaneer Thaneer’ (1981) and ‘Achamillai Achamillai’ (1984).
•Best Screenplay for ‘Thaneer Thaneer’ (1981)
•Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award (2011)
•Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration for ‘Rudraveena’ (1988) and ‘Roja’ (1992)
•National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues for ‘Oru Veedu Iru Vaasal’ (1991)
He won a total of 13 Filmfare Awards including:
•Best Screenplay for ‘Ek Duuje Ke Liye’ (1981)
•Best Tamil Director for ‘Aval Oru Thodar Kathai’ (1974), ‘Apoorva Raagangal’ (1975), ‘Varumayin Niram Sivappu’ (1980), ‘Thaneer Thaneer’ (1981), ‘Achamillai Achamillai’ (1984), ‘Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal’ (1989), ‘Vaaname Ellai’ (1992) and ‘Maro Charitra’ (1978).
•Best Film (Tamil) for ‘Achamillai Achamillai’(1984), ‘Sindhu Bhairavi’ (1985) and ‘Roja’ (1992).
•Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994
In addition to many other awards in writing and direction, K. Balachander was conferred with an honorary doctorate ‘Doctor of Letters’ by Sathyabama University, Alagappa University and University of Madras. Also, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 39th International Film Festival of India in 2008.
Personal Life of K. Balachander
K. Balachander tied the knot with wife Rajam in 1956. Together they raised sons Kailasam and Prasanna and daughter Pushpa Kandaswamy.
Death of K. Balachander
K. Balachander was hospitalised in December, 2014, following a neurosurgery in the previous month. Reported to have been suffering from fever and urinary tract infection, he died on the 23rd of the month, owing to complications and age-related ailments.
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