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M. V. Balan

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M. V. Balan
එම්. වී. බාලන්
Born
Mahadevan Vellupillai Balakrishnan

(1941-03-03)3 March 1941
Yatiyanthota, Sri Lanka
Died14 January 2017(2017-01-14) (aged 75)
Ratmalana, Colombo
NationalitySri Lankan
Occupation(s)Actor, Filmmaker, Producer
Years active1958–2005
SpouseChandrawathi Hesarasinghe
Children2

Mahadevan Vellupillai Balakrishnan (born 3 March 1941 – died 14 January 2017 as එම්. වී. බාලන්) [Sinhala]), popularly as M. V. Balan, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema.[1] Career spanned for more than four decades, Balan has worked as a film production manager, assistant director, choreographer and a filmmaker.[2]

Personal life

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Balan was born on 3 March 1941 (Sarasaviya recorded the birth date as 15 March 1940) in Ganepalla village, Yatiyanthota. Balan was married to a Sinhala woman Chandrawathi Hesarasinghe and the couple has two children.[3]

He died on 14 January 2017 at the age of 75. His remains are kept at the 8th floor of the Mount Lavinia housing scheme, Kalmdemulla Road, Golumudama Junction, Ratmalana until 3.00 pm. The funeral took place on 16 January 2017 at 4.00 pm at the Mount Lavinia General Cemetery.[4]

Career

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He joined Ceylon Studios as a technician in 1958 and was first involved as a lighting artist in the film Sihanaya.[5]

He made his acting debut in 1958 film Wanaliya with a minor role. Then he appeared in many dramatic and comedy roles including Wanaliya, Pirimiyek Nisa, Suvineetha Lalani, Ganthera, Sasaraka Hati and Cheriyo Captain.[6] Balan worked as the choreographer in many popular films such as Sithaka Mahima, Ipadune Ai, London Hamu and Okkoma Hari. His acting in the film Nomiyena Minisun with Gamini Fonseka was a memorable feat in his career. His role as a servant was highly appreciated by critics.[3]

He has directed 11 films in Sinhala cinema started with Oba Nathinam in 1969. In 1975, Balan directed the film Hitha Honda Minihek starred by Gamini Fonseka. In 1978, he was the producer of film Mage Ran Putha.[7] He also directed popular films Rahasak Nathi Rahasak and Deviyani Sathya Surakinna. Apart from Sinhala films, Balan also directed several Sri Lankan Tamil films such as Manjal Kunkumam and Nirmala.[3]

Filmography

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As actor

[edit]
Year Film Role Ref.
1958 Wanaliya
1959 Avishwasaya
Sri 296
Sihinaya Alokarana
1960 Kawata Andare
Pirimiyek Nisa
1961 Suvineetha Lalani
Gan Thera
1962 Sansare
Suhada Divi Piduma
1963 Wena Swargayak Kumatada?
Suhada Sohoyuro
Deepashika Peter
1964 Kala Kala De Pala Pala De
Dheewarayo
Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe
Samiya Birindage Deviyaya [8]
Sasaraka Hati
1965 Handapaana
Yata Giya Dawasa
Hathara Maha Nidhanaya Broken window homeowner
Adarayay Karunawai
Hithata Hitha
Allapu Gedara Tabla player
Satha Panaha [9]
Sweep Ticket
1966 Athulweema Thahanam
Kinkini Paada
Sampatha
Sudu Duwa
Oba Dutu Da
1967 Ipadune Ai?
Okkoma Hari [10]
Sura Chauraya
1968 London Hamu
Mathru Bhoomi
Amathikama
Ataweni Pudumaya
1969 Oba Nathinam
1970 Penawa Neda
1971 Kalana Mithuro
1973 Suhada Pathuma
Sinawai Inawai
1974 Hadawath Naththo
1978 Deepanjali
1988 Gedara Budun Amma Minister Lingam
Angulimala
1989 Mamai Raja River jump stopper
Obata Rahasak Kiyannam
Shakthiya Obai Amme Sergeant Sinnathambi
1990 Jaya Shakthi
Yukthiyata Wada Guarding henchman
Hondin Nathinam Narakin
1991 Raja Kello
Cheriyo Doctor Security guard
1993 Surayan Athara Veeraya Hubcap robbery victim
Come O'Go Chicago Near hit street walker
1994 Nomiyena Minisun
Nohadan Kumariyo
1995 Cheriyo Captain Pabul
1998 Aeya Obata Barai Sergeant Balan
2002 Somy Boys Factory manager
2005 Sanduni

As director

[edit]
Year Film Ref.
1969 Oba Nathinam
1969 Manjal Kunkumam
1975 Hitha Honda Minihek
1978 Mage Ran Putha
1982 Rahasak Nathi Rahasak
1995 Deviyani Sathya Suriyakinna
1996 Hitha Honda Gahaniyak

References

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  1. ^ "MV Balan films". IMDb. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  2. ^ "M.V. Balan filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Three farewells in one week". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Dramatist MV Balan's funeral today". Ada. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  5. ^ "MV Balan in Sri Lankan Cinema says goodbyey". Mirror Arts. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Two filmmakers say goodbye today". Dinamina. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  7. ^ "MV Balan - H.S. Perera left today". Colombo News. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  8. ^ "All about Samiya Birindage Deviyaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  9. ^ "All about the film "Satha Panaha"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
  10. ^ "All about the film "Okkoma Hari"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-01.