Bala (director)
Bala | |
|---|---|
| File:Director Bala in 2011.jpg | |
| Born | Bala Pazhanisaamy July 11, 1966 |
| Occupation(s) | Director, screenwriter, film producer |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Website | www |
Bala (Template:Lang-ta; born 11 July 1966) is an National Award winning Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, working in Tamil cinema. Bala is frequently credited with having "revolutionized Tamil cinema",[1][2][3] through his realistic, dark and disturbing films that have garnered high critical acclaim.[4][5] He has received several awards and recognition for his work, including the National Film Award for Best Director for his fourth feature film Naan Kadavul (2009).[6]
Background
Bala was born on 11 July 1966 in Periyakulam, Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India. He studied Tamil Literature at The American College in Madurai. He admitted, that, as a youngster, he was not interested in studies and had dropped in his college days and was considered by many as he won't come up in life. At certain point he determined to prove himself to the society. After a struggling period he came to Chennai and entered the film industry.
Film career
He started his film career as an assistant director to National Film Award–winning director and cinematographer Balu Mahendra, where a close friendship between the two grew.
Bala is known for his later success. He made his directorial debut with Sethu in 1999, that gave a break to Vikram, the film's lead actor, who was also struggling in the Tamil film industry for almost a decade without a hit and recognition. More than 60 distributors saw the film and hesistated to screen it because of its tragic ending. But after multiple preview shows, the film was released on a low profile without any advertisement. But after the first days the film started running to packed houses just through 'word of mouth'.[7][8] The film was said to have initiated a 'new wave'[9] as it received raving reviews and became a huge hit. Its stupendous success led to remakes in Kannada (Huchcha), Telugu (Seshu) and Hindi (Tere Naam) languages.
Bala's next film was Nandha which gave a career boost to Suriya. His third film Pithamagan broke all the sentiments which were prevailing in Tamil cinema. In 2009 he released Naan Kadavul in Tamil featuring Arya and Pooja Umashankar for which he won his first National Film Award for Best Direction. In 2011, his fifth directorial Avan Ivan, considered his first comedy film, released, starring Vishal Krishna and Arya. While the film opened to mixed reviews by critics, the lead actors gained critical acclaim for their performances, particularly Vishal.
Other awards and recognition
- His Three films have won 13 Filmfare Awards and “ Pithamagan” has the distinguished honor of being the only Tamil Movie to be Awarded with 6 Filmfare Awards. Bala won the Prestigious Kalaimamani Award form the State of Tamil Nadu in 2007.
- Best Regional Film Award from Govt. of India at the 47th National film Festival.
- Best Director Award from Tamilnadu Govt. given by the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Mr.M.Karunanidhi.
- Best Director Award given by Filmfare.
- Best Director Award given by Cinema Express.
- Best Director Award given by Pepsi Film Awards.
- Best Director Award given by ‘Dinakaran’ Tamil Daily News Paper.
- Best Director Award from Govt of India at 56th National Film Awards 2008.
- Best Director Award given by Univercell Vijay Awards 2010.
Filmography
As Actor
- Sandhya Raagam – Postman role (1999)
As director
| Year | Film | Cast | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Sethu | Vikram, Abitha, Sivakumar | National Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil Filmfare Best Tamil Director Award Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director |
| 2001 | Nandha | Surya, Laila, Rajkiran, Rajshree, Karunas | |
| 2003 | Pithamagan | Vikram, Surya, Sangeetha, Laila | Filmfare Best Tamil Director Award ITFA Best Director Award |
| 2009 | Naan Kadavul | Arya, Pooja, Rajendran | National Film Award for Best Direction Vijay Award for Best Director |
| 2011 | Avan Ivan | Vishal Krishna, Arya, Janani Iyer, Madhu Shalini | |
| 2012 | Paradesi | Adharvaa, Dhansika, Vedhika | Filming [10] |
As producer
- Maayavi (2005)
References
- ^ Bala: Man of the moment – Times Of India. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2010-01-25). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
- ^ Naan Kadavul fever begins worldwide!. Sify.com (2009-02-03). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
- ^ Pyramid Saimira releasing Naan Kadavul in USA – Tamil Movie News. IndiaGlitz. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
- ^ Bala: Man of the moment – Times Of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2010-01-25). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
- ^ Bala's change for Soundarya – Behindwoods.com – Tamil Movies News – Bala Soundarya Rajinikant. Behindwoods.com (2009-03-24). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
- ^ 56th National Film Awards Announced – Tamil Movie News. IndiaGlitz. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
- ^ The Hindu : About maternal bond. Hinduonnet.com (2001-10-19). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
- ^ 'You can't compare Bala to anyone else'. Specials.rediff.com (2009-03-10). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
- ^ Exclusive: Bala on Naan Kadavul, God and faith. Specials.rediff.com (2009-03-10). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
- ^ Bala chooses 'Paradesi' for Atharva – Tamil Movie News. IndiaGlitz (2012-03-21). Retrieved on 2012-07-11.
External links
