Bala (born 11 July 1966) is an Indian Tamil film director, screenwriter and film producer, working in the Tamil film industry. Widely credited with having revolutionized Tamil cinema, he is best known for his realistic, yet dark and disturbing films, considered landmark films, that have garnered high critical acclaim. He has received several awards and recognition for his work, including the National Film Award for Best Direction for his fourth feature film Naan Kadavul.
| Full Name | Bala |
| Profession | Writer, Director, Producer |
| Date of Birth | 11th July 1966 |
| Birth Place | Madurai, Tamilnadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Mother Tongue | Tamil |
| Languages Known | Tamil, English, Telugu |
| Family | Father: Palanisamy Mother: Pachiammal Wife: Muthumalar Siblings: 5 brothers, 2 sisters |
| Education | B.A (Tamil), American College, Madurai |
| Debut Film | Writer & Director: Sethu Producer: Maayavi |
| Marriage date | 04/07/2004 |
| The person he likes to meet | God |
| Happiest Moment | All times in life |
| Unforgettable Moment | Every moment |
| Weakness | Temper |
| Production company | Owns B Studios |
| Drugs | Has confessed that he has used drugs |
| Awards | Pithamagan Won the Filmfare Award for the best director of the year 2003 Sethu Best Director award – Filmfare. Best Director award – Cinema Express. Best Director award – Pepsi Film Awards. Best Director award – ‘Dinakaran’ Tamil Daily news paper. |
| Favourites | Director: Maniratnam and Balumahendra Music Director: Illayaraja Film: Mahanadi Song: Maalayil yaaro (Chatriyan) Hobby: Sleeping Colour: Blue Food: Idli with Chilly powder Attire:Lungi Actor: Kamalhassan Places: Theni, Kambam, Madurai and Rameswaram Inspiration: Ram Gopal Verma |
| Ambition | Sithan Pokku Sivan Pokku |
| Facts | * Not much interested in studies.
* Worked as an assistant director for the famous national award director and cinematographer Balu Mahendra. * He gave a break to Surya through the movie ‘Nandha’. * ‘Mayavi’ with Surya and Jothika was directed by his assistant Singapulli and produced by him. * “Naan kadavul”, had the lead actress changed quiet a number of times. |
| Contact number | 044-24719271 |
| Motto | To produce more meaningful films |
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 dopped 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 cinema industry. Then soon he became one of the finest directors in the Tamil Film Industry, cause of his directing skills.
Film career
He started his film career as an assistant director for the famous 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’. [4][5] The film was said to have initiated a ‘new wave’ [6]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. Ameer, the director of the Block-buster film Paruthiveeran is his assistant.
Bala’s next film was Nandha which gave a career boost to Surya. 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.
National award
Bala received national award for Best Direction for his fourth feature film Naan Kadavul in 2010. Asked if he thanked God for the national award, Bala said,
Did God come and act in Naan Kadavul movie? Did he do the make up? Did he do the costume designing? Did he operate the camera? It was the actors, actresses and workers who worked hard. Why should I thank someone who doesnt exist? Actually bala is very shy personality in front of the large sum of people. TO make him speak a long is impossible in front of a crew. Always he wants silent
His Next Film is Avan Ivan
Filmography
| Year | Film | Cast | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Sethu | Vikram, Abitha, Sivakumar | Winner, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Director Award Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director Winner, Tamil Nadu State Special Award for Best Film |
| 2001 | Nandha | Surya, Laila, Rajkiran, Rajshree, Karunas | Winner, Tamil Nadu State Special Award for Best Film |
| 2003 | Pithamagan | Vikram, Surya, Sangeetha, Laila | Winner, ITFA Best Director Award |
| 2009 | Naan Kadavul | Arya, Pooja, Rajendran | Winner, National Film Award for Best Directing |
| 2010 | Avan Ivan | Arya, Vishal, Janani Iyer | Filming |































