Bala (director)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Bala
Born Bala Pazhanisaamy
July 11, 1966 (1966-07-11) (age 45)
Periyakulam, Theni, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation Director, screenwriter, film producer
Years active 1999–present
Website
www.directorbala.net

Bala (Tamil: பாலா; born 11 July 1966) is an 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]

Contents

[edit] 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.

[edit] Film career

Bala with the actors Suriya and Simran during the Pithamagan shooting

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 Director. 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.

[edit] Filmography

[edit] As Actor

  • Sandhya Raagam – Postman role (1989)

[edit] 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 Award for Best Director
Vijay Award for Best Director
2011 Avan Ivan Vishal Krishna, Arya, Janani Iyer, Madhu Shalini
2012 Eriyum Thanal Adharvaa, Vedhika Pre-production[10]

[edit] As producer

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bala: Man of the moment – Times Of India. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2010-01-25). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  2. ^ Naan Kadavul fever begins worldwide!. Sify.com (2009-02-03). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  3. ^ Pyramid Saimira releasing Naan Kadavul in USA – Tamil Movie News. IndiaGlitz. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  4. ^ Bala: Man of the moment – Times Of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2010-01-25). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  5. ^ Bala's change for Soundarya – Behindwoods.com – Tamil Movies News – Bala Soundarya Rajinikant. Behindwoods.com (2009-03-24). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  6. ^ 56th National Film Awards Announced – Tamil Movie News. IndiaGlitz. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  7. ^ The Hindu : About maternal bond. Hinduonnet.com (2001-10-19). Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  8. ^ rediff.com: Exclusive: Bala on Naan Kadavul, God and faith. Specials.rediff.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  9. ^ rediff.com: Exclusive: Bala on Naan Kadavul, God and faith. Specials.rediff.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  10. ^ http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/72026.html

11. ^ kalakkalcinema.com:Bala , Vishal to team up again .Retrieved on 2011-11-21.

[edit] External links

Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages