K. Balachander

Directing

K. Balachander

Born 1930-07-09 · Nannilam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

Kailasam Balachander was a renowned Indian film producer, director and screenwriter. He directed films predominantly in Tamil, in addition to some films in the Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi languages. Known for his distinct filmmaking style, the films he scripts and directs analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. Through his works, he contributed significantly to the development of the Tamil film industry in South India, and introduced hundreds of actors and actresses into cinema, including Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Prakash Raj and Vivek.

Acting credits

No artwork available
3.0

A director changes the perception of love for a group of youngsters by narrating how he reclaimed his life because of his now-married lover and her understanding husband.

Ninaithathu Yaaro

2014

Kuselan poster
5.2

Balakrishnan and Ashok are two childhood friends who lose touch with each other. One of them goes on to become a national figure and the other, a village barber.

Kuselan

2008

Poi poster
2.0

Valluvanar is an upright political leader in Tamil Nadu much respected for his honesty and uprightness. And he refuses to compromise on this trait even when his only son Kamban finds himself in jail for no fault of his. The opposition party takes advantage of the situation and bails out Kamban, who joins this party much to his father's embarrassment. The media laps it up sensationalizing it further. Then Kamban decides to leave the country until things cool down. Only his mother Vasuki with whom he is close is aware of this plan. Kamban arrives at Sri Lanka where he be-friend's Banerjee, a Bengali and stays with him. One day he finds a Tamil book on the beach which he traces to Shilpa the owner of the book, who is a college student preparing for the civil services examination. The film juggles between reality and fiction, where Theepori, the fictitious father image of Kamban advises him to fall in love. The rest of the story is about the emotional conflict between her career and love.

Poi

2006

Uttama Villain poster
6.7

Superstar Manoranjan learns that he has only a few days to live and approaches his mentor, director Margadarisi to direct his next project — a folklore-ish comedy about a man who keeps cheating death and his role in saving a kingdom. Meanwhile, he has to sort out his personal lives, which involves an estranged son and a daughter from the love of his life.

Uttama Villain

2015

Rettaisuzhi poster
3.2

Rettaichuzhi is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by newcomer Thamira. It stars ace filmmakers K. Balachander and Bharathiraja in lead roles along with Anjali, debutant Aari, Manobala, Ilavarasu, Karunas and Jayachitra in supporting roles. The film unfolds in a village in Thirunelveli. Ramasamy (K Balachander) is an influential man in the village and he is a devoted to the principles of Congress since his childhood. He is against Singaravelan (Bharathiraja), a Communist. Their feud runs for over four decades. Even their grand children are against each other and they form gangs to express their enmity. However a romance in the family changes the warm atmosphere. Susheela (Anjali), brought up in Singaravelan's house is a school teacher who is in love with one Murthy (Aari). Understanding their true love, the children forget their enmity and try to bring both families together and get them wedlocked. Did they succeed in their attempts forms the climax.

Rettaisuzhi

2010

Behind the camera

Manmadha Leelai poster
3.0

Despite being married, Madhu, a womaniser, continues to pursue other women. However, he is shocked when he learns about his wife's dilemma.

Manmadha Leelai

1976

Manmadha Leelai poster
3.0

Despite being married, Madhu, a womaniser, continues to pursue other women. However, he is shocked when he learns about his wife's dilemma.

Manmadha Leelai

1976

No artwork available
NR

Manohar, a singer, falls in love with a girl. When the girl moves to Mumbai, he goes after her. Complications arise when Manohar comes across a murdered man who is his look-alike.

Pudhiavan

1984

Roja poster
7.0

Roja, a simple girl from a village in Tamil Nadu, makes desperate efforts to find her husband, Rishi, after he is kidnapped by militants during a secret undercover mission in Kashmir.

Roja

1992

No artwork available
7.0

Story of a woman who falls in love with a man who's in love with her friend. She sacrifices her love and writes weekly stories in a magazine about her own life. Will she be able to find love in the end? Will her character in the story be able to find love?

Thamarai Nenjam

1968

No artwork available
7.0

Story of a woman who falls in love with a man who's in love with her friend. She sacrifices her love and writes weekly stories in a magazine about her own life. Will she be able to find love in the end? Will her character in the story be able to find love?

Thamarai Nenjam

1968

Duet poster
7.1

Two musical brothers look for love, only to have their quest end in tragedy for one.

Duet

1994

Duet poster
7.1

Two musical brothers look for love, only to have their quest end in tragedy for one.

Duet

1994

Varumayin Niram Sivappu poster
7.9

Three educated but unemployed youth who have come to live in a bustling, harsh metropolis struggle to earn a living.

Varumayin Niram Sivappu

1980

Varumayin Niram Sivappu poster
7.9

Three educated but unemployed youth who have come to live in a bustling, harsh metropolis struggle to earn a living.

Varumayin Niram Sivappu

1980

Moondru Mudichu poster
6.3

Roommates Prasath and Balaji are both in love with Selvi. However, life takes an ugly turn when Balaji dies and Selvi is forced to marry Prasath's father.

Moondru Mudichu

1976

Moondru Mudichu poster
6.3

Roommates Prasath and Balaji are both in love with Selvi. However, life takes an ugly turn when Balaji dies and Selvi is forced to marry Prasath's father.

Moondru Mudichu

1976

No artwork available
8.0

A young man falls in love with a woman and the two get involved in a deeply passionate relationship. However, complications arise as the woman's father does not approve of their relationship.

Poovilangu

1984

Azhagan poster
6.3

Azhagappan, a handsome widower with four children, gets caught in a dilemma where three different women are in love with him. Soon, the children devise a plan so that he gets married to one of them.

Azhagan

1991

Azhagan poster
6.3

Azhagappan, a handsome widower with four children, gets caught in a dilemma where three different women are in love with him. Soon, the children devise a plan so that he gets married to one of them.

Azhagan

1991

No artwork available
6.5

Newlyweds Kumar and Vaishali travels to France. They stay in a country manor where, unbeknownst to Vaishali, Kumar's first wife already lives. He tells Vaishali that Lucy is his colleague, and Lucy that Vaishali is his sister.

47 Natkal

1981

No artwork available
6.5

Newlyweds Kumar and Vaishali travels to France. They stay in a country manor where, unbeknownst to Vaishali, Kumar's first wife already lives. He tells Vaishali that Lucy is his colleague, and Lucy that Vaishali is his sister.

47 Natkal

1981

No artwork available
NR

A drama about the blossoming romantic relationship between a man in 40's and a girl of age 18.

Vidukathai

1997

Poikkal Kudhirai poster
10.0

Poikkal Kudhirai is a 1983 Tamil-language Indian comedy feature film directed by K. Balachander and produced by Kalaivani. Starring Viji and Raveendran, the film had Ramakrishna and lyricist Vaali making their acting debuts. Kamal Haasan appeared in a guest role. Poikkal Kudhirai was based on Crazy Mohan's play Marriage Made in Saloon. Poikkal Kuthirai is an hilarious depiction of how Sambandam (Vaali) — who bets on each and every small thing and wins — and Indu (Ramakrishnan) enter into a bet at a saloon owned by Muthu (Ravindar). The bet is that Indu will win Sambadam's daughter Janaki's (Viji) heart and marry her. If Muthu is successful in his mission, Sambandam will shave half of his moustache for their marriage. If he fails, Muthu will shave his head. Who wins the bet is the film's narrative.

Poikkal Kudhirai

1983

Poikkal Kudhirai poster
10.0

Poikkal Kudhirai is a 1983 Tamil-language Indian comedy feature film directed by K. Balachander and produced by Kalaivani. Starring Viji and Raveendran, the film had Ramakrishna and lyricist Vaali making their acting debuts. Kamal Haasan appeared in a guest role. Poikkal Kudhirai was based on Crazy Mohan's play Marriage Made in Saloon. Poikkal Kuthirai is an hilarious depiction of how Sambandam (Vaali) — who bets on each and every small thing and wins — and Indu (Ramakrishnan) enter into a bet at a saloon owned by Muthu (Ravindar). The bet is that Indu will win Sambadam's daughter Janaki's (Viji) heart and marry her. If Muthu is successful in his mission, Sambandam will shave half of his moustache for their marriage. If he fails, Muthu will shave his head. Who wins the bet is the film's narrative.

Poikkal Kudhirai

1983

Nizhal Nijamagirathu poster
7.0

Venkatchalam lives with his sister Indumathi, who hates men and vows to never get married. When Sanjeevi, Venkatchalam's friend, meets Indumathi, he falls in love with her.

Nizhal Nijamagirathu

1978

Nizhal Nijamagirathu poster
7.0

Venkatchalam lives with his sister Indumathi, who hates men and vows to never get married. When Sanjeevi, Venkatchalam's friend, meets Indumathi, he falls in love with her.

Nizhal Nijamagirathu

1978

Velaikkaran poster
6.4

Ragupathy leaves his village for the city and finds a job at a 5-star hotel owned by a man in a relationship with his mother. When his life is threatened, Ragupathy decides to ensure his safety.

Velaikkaran

1987

Velaikkaran poster
6.4

Ragupathy leaves his village for the city and finds a job at a 5-star hotel owned by a man in a relationship with his mother. When his life is threatened, Ragupathy decides to ensure his safety.

Velaikkaran

1987