BALU MAHENDRA

Balu Mahendra – A Legendary Filmmaker

Personal Details

  • Full Name: Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran
  • Date of Birth: May 20, 1939
  • Place of Birth: Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
  • Date of Death: February 13, 2014
  • Nationality: Indian (Born in Sri Lanka, later settled in India)
  • Profession: Director, Cinematographer, Screenwriter, Editor

Early Life & Education

Balu Mahendra was born into a Tamil-speaking family in Sri Lanka. His passion for films developed at a young age. He pursued his education at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, specializing in cinematography. His unique visual storytelling style set him apart from his contemporaries.

Career in Cinematography

Balu Mahendra started his career as a cinematographer, gaining recognition for his work in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi films. His cinematography in “Nellu” (1974, Malayalam) won him the National Film Award for Best Cinematography.

Career as a Director

Balu Mahendra made his directorial debut with “Kokila” (1977, Kannada), which won critical acclaim and several awards. His filmmaking was characterized by realistic storytelling, deep emotions, and visually rich cinematography.

Films as a Director

Kannada Films

  1. Kokila (1977) – Debut film, a romantic drama

Tamil Films

  1. Azhiyadha Kolangal (1979) – A coming-of-age drama
  2. Moodu Pani (1980) – A psychological thriller
  3. Moondram Pirai (1982) – A classic drama, later remade as Sadma in Hindi
  4. Neengal Kettavai (1984) – A commercial drama
  5. Veedu (1988) – A National Award-winning film on middle-class struggles
  6. Sandhya Raagam (1989) – A poignant drama about old age
  7. Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1992) – A visually stunning romantic drama, National Award winner
  8. Marupadiyum (1993) – A critically acclaimed drama about marital issues
  9. Sathi Leelavathi (1995) – A comedy-drama featuring Kamal Haasan
  10. Raman Abdullah (1997) – A light-hearted film
  11. Julie Ganapathi (2003) – A psychological thriller inspired by Misery
  12. Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam (2005) – A tragic love story
  13. Thalaimuraigal (2013) – His last film, exploring generational relationships

As a Cinematographer (Notable Films)

Malayalam Films

  1. Nellu (1974)
  2. Prayanam (1975)
  3. Rathi Nirvedam (1978)
  4. Olangal (1982)
  5. Yathra (1985)

Tamil Films

  1. Uthiripookkal (1979)
  2. Johny (1980)
  3. Varumayin Niram Sivappu (1980)
  4. Azhiyadha Kolangal (1979)
  5. Veedu (1988)

Hindi Films

  1. Sadma (1983) – Remake of Moondram Pirai

Awards & Honors of Balu Mahendra

Balu Mahendra received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career for his excellence in cinematography and direction. Here’s a list of his major awards:

🏆 National Film Awards (India)

  1. Best Cinematography – Nellu (1974, Malayalam)
  2. Best Cinematography – Kokila (1977, Kannada)
  3. Best Feature Film in Tamil – Veedu (1988)
  4. Best Feature Film in Tamil – Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1992)
  5. Best Film on Family Welfare – Sandhya Raagam (1989)

🏆 Filmfare Awards South

  1. Best Director – Moondram Pirai (1982, Tamil)
  2. Best Director – Veedu (1988, Tamil)
  3. Best Director – Marupadiyum (1993, Tamil)

🏆 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

  1. Best Cinematographer – Moodu Pani (1980)
  2. Best Director – Moondram Pirai (1982)
  3. Best Director – Veedu (1988)
  4. Best Director – Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1992)

🏆 Kerala State Film Awards

  1. Best Cinematographer – Prayanam (1975, Malayalam)
  2. Best Cinematographer – Olangal (1982, Malayalam)

🏆 Nandi Awards (Andhra Pradesh State)

  1. Second Best Feature Film (Silver) – Sandhya Raagam (1989, Tamil dubbed in Telugu)

🏆 Other Honors

  • Cinema Express Award – Best Director for Marupadiyum (1993)
  • Kalaimamani Award (Tamil Nadu Government) – For his contributions to cinema
  • Posthumous Recognition – Many film institutions and contemporary filmmakers honor him as one of the greatest visual storytellers in Indian cinema.

Personal Life

Balu Mahendra was married to actress Shobha, who tragically passed away. Later, he was in a relationship with actress Mounika.

Death

He passed away on February 13, 2014, due to a heart attack. His contribution to Indian cinema remains legendary, and he is regarded as one of the finest filmmakers in South Indian cinema.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS : 

YOUTUBE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPmSWfyFOgU&pp=ygUhYmFsdSBtYWhlbmRyYSBsaWZlIHN0b3J5IGluIHRhbWls