Bala (director)

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Bala
Bala at the audio launch for Salim
Born
Bala Palanisamy[1]

(1966-07-11) 11 July 1966
Uthamapalayam, Madras State, India
EducationAmerican College, Madurai
OccupationsFilm director, Screenwriter, Film producer
Years active1998–present
Spouse
Muthumalar
​
​
(m. 2004; div. 2022)​
Children1

Bala is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and film producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He has been praised for "revolutionizing Tamil cinema"[2][3][4] through his realistic, dark, and disturbing depiction of the working class on celluloid screen.[2][5] His films are known to be tragic and disturbing.

Film career

Early work before directorial

Bala was introduced by lyricist Arivumathi to director Balu Mahendra.[6] Initially, he began working as a production assistant under him.[7] Later Bala turned to work with him as assistant director in his movies.[8][9]

1999-2008: Debut and breakthrough

Bala made his directorial debut with Sethu in 1999, which 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 hesitated to screen it because of its tragic ending. 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.[10][11] The film was said to have initiated a 'new wave'[12] as it received critical acclaim and became a hit. Its success led to remakes in Kannada (Huchcha), Telugu (Seshu), and Hindi (Tere Naam) languages. He next made Nandhaa in 2001, which gave a breakthrough for Suriya in the industry.[13]

After delivering superhit films each with Vikram and Suriya, Bala reunited with both actors for the second time, and he made the two leading actors come together for the first time in Pithamagan (2003). Bala sketched the lead characters of the film well and impressed fans with the twists and turns. Pithamagan mixed with different emotions made the audience enjoy the film, and the director gave an emotional climax to make the film remembered by fans for a long time.[14]

2009-2019: Continued success

In 2009, Naan Kadavul featuring Arya and Pooja Umashankar, won its first National Film Award for Best Direction.[15] In 2011, Arya and Vishal playing the lead roles in the comedy drama Avan Ivan.[16] Produced by Bala himself under the banner of B Studios, Paradesi (2013), takes on the challenge of transforming the boy-next-door looks of Atharvaa into an almost bald, unsophisticated village simpleton of a bygone era. After working with Ilaiyaraaja and Yuvan Shankar Raja in his earlier films, director Bala for the first time teams up with G. V. Prakash Kumar for the music of Paradesi.[17] In 2016, overall the performances in Tharai Thappattai are of superior quality and so is the technical aspects.[18] In 2018, Naachiyaar stars Jyothika in the titular role, while G. V. Prakash Kumar and newcomer Ivana play important supporting characters in this engaging crime thriller.[19]

2020-present: Career slump

In 2017, Bala was chosen as the director of Varmaa, the Tamil remake of Arjun Reddy, for which the rights were bought by E4 Entertainment. In February 2019, E4 Entertainment issued a press statement stating that they would go for a complete re-shoot as they were not satisfied with the final cut provided by Bala. They added that the film would be relaunched with a completely new cast and crew while retaining lead actor Dhruv Vikram.[20] Bala disagreed with these comments, saying it was his own decision to quit the film "in order to safeguard creative freedom" because he was asked to make changes.[21] This became the first such incident in Tamil cinema that the producer of the film refused to release the film due to unsatisfactory final cut despite the completion of the film.[22] The relaunched film ended up being directed by Gireesayya and titled Adithya Varma. It was released in 2019 to positive reviews, while Varmaa was released in 2020 and received negative reviews.[23]

In 2022, Bala announced the launch of his film Vanangaan. Suriya was initially supposed to be the lead actor (reuniting with Bala after Pithamagan), producing the film under his banner 2D Entertainment. Krithi Shetty and Mamitha Baiju were the initial heroines for the film. Filming was initially planned to be completed entirely in three months; however, work on the film stopped in June due to a reported tiff between Suriya and Bala. Following this, Vanangaan was rumoured to have been dropped, which Suriya debunked with a social media post in which he stated that he was "waiting to be back on sets".[24] However, in December, Bala announced that Suriya and 2D Entertainment were no longer part of the project, citing changes in the film's story.[25] By March 2023, the film's new cast was confirmed to be Arun Vijay, Roshni Prakash,[26][27] and Ridha.[28] Vanangaan was released in 2025 and received negative reviews, criticizing the done-to-death plot of insensitively portraying sexual crimes against women.[29]

Personal life

Bala was born and brought up in Madurai. His father worked in a bank in Madurai and his mother was a homemaker. Bala graduated from American College with an aim to dive into the Tamil film industry.[30] Bala married Muthumalar in 2004 and has a daughter. Bala and Muthumalar divorced in 2022, after 18 years of marriage.[31]

Public image

Shaji N. Karun, who headed the jury of the 56th National Film Awards, said, "Bala is unique in many ways. The way he changed Tamil cinema's character was commendable ... There were many who tried for a change. Among the new generation of filmmakers, Bala leads the pack in bringing a change in Tamil cinema's outlook and approach."[32]

Filmography

Year Film Credited as Notes
Director Writer Producer
1999Sethu Yes Yes No

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
Cinema Express Award for Best Director – Tamil
Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil

2001Nandhaa Yes Yes NoCinema Express Award for Best Director[33]
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil
2003Pithamagan Yes Yes No

ITFA Best Director Award
Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil

2009Naan Kadavul Yes Screenplay No

National Film Award for Best Direction
Vijay Award for Best Director
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil

2011Avan Ivan Yes Yes No
2013Paradesi Yes Yes Yes

South Indian Cinematographers Association Award for Best Director
Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil
Vijay Award for Best Director
SIIMA Award for Best Director – Tamil
Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Director
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award Best Director
Chennai International Film Festival Special Jury Award
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Film
Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Film

2016Tharai Thappattai Yes Yes Yes
2018Naachiyaar Yes Yes Yes[34][35][36]
2020 Varmaa Yes No No
2025 Vanangaan Yes Yes Yes[37]

As producer

Year Film Notes
2006Maayavi
2014Pisaasu
2015Chandi Veeran
2018Naachiyaar
2022 Visithiran

As an actor

Year Title Role Notes
1988VeeduPostmanUncredited role
2011Avan IvanAuto driverUncredited appearance

References

  1. "Varmaa controversy: Director Bala says he stepped down after he was asked to make changes to the Dhruv Vikram-starrer". Cinema Express. 9 February 2019. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  2. "Bala: Man of the moment". The Times of India. 25 January 2010. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  3. Naan Kadavul fever begins worldwide!. Sify.com (3 February 2009). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
  4. Pyramid Saimira releasing Naan kadavul in USA. IndiaGlitz. Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
  5. Bala's change for Soundarya Archived 29 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Behindwoods.com (24 March 2009). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
  6. Saravanan, T. (9 October 2014). "Man of his word". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  7. "To Sir, with love". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  8. Kolappan, B.; Subramanian, Karthik (13 February 2014). "Master craftsman who was also a great teacher". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  9. "5 Filmmaking Tropes of Bala". Film Companion. 24 April 2017. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  10. The Hindu : About maternal bond. Hinduonnet.com (19 October 2001). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
  11. 'You can't compare Bala to anyone else' Archived 15 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Specials.rediff.com (10 March 2009). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
  12. Exclusive: Bala on Naan Kadavul, God and faith Archived 6 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Specials.rediff.com (10 March 2009). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
  13. "Strangely familiar".
  14. "20 years of 'Pithamagan': Five soundest outcomes of Bala's directorial featuring Vikram and Suriya". The Times of India.
  15. "Bala bags National Award for Naan Kadavul". 16 May 2012.
  16. "Avan Ivan". 17 June 2011.
  17. "Review: Paradesi is exceptional".
  18. "Thaarai Thappattai - Movie Review". 13 January 2016.
  19. "Naachiyaar Movie Review". 16 February 2018.
  20. "E4 Entertainment not happy with Bala's Varmaa; to re-shoot the Arjun Reddy remake with a new team". Cinema Express. 7 February 2019. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  21. "Varmaa controversy: Director Bala says he stepped down after he was asked to make changes to the Dhruv Vikram-starrer". Cinema Express. 9 February 2019. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  22. Sekar, Raja (7 February 2019). "Varmaa: Tamil remake of cult Telugu film Arjun Reddy dropped; producers and director Bala at loggerheads". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  23. "Varmaa Movie Review". 6 October 2020.
  24. "Suriya Dismisses Rumours of His Project With Director Bala Getting Shelved". News18. 27 May 2022. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  25. "Actor Suriya drops out of director Bala's Vanangaan". The Hindu. 4 December 2022. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  26. "Arun Vijay Spotted With Crew in Latest Still From Vanangaan Sets". News18. 13 March 2023. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  27. "Roshni Prakash replaces Krithi Shetty in Bala's Vanangaan". The New Indian Express. 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  28. A, Parthiban (14 January 2025). "இனிமே தங்கச்சியா நடிக்க மாட்டேன்.. வணங்கான் நடிகை Ridhaa Interview". Cineulagam (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  29. "Vanangaan review: Director Bala's film on sexual violence has contrasting ideologies".
  30. "azhiyadha kolangal book - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  31. "Director Bala and Muthumalar get divorced after 18 years of marriage". The Indian Express. 8 March 2022. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  32. Vilakudy, Rajaneesh (28 January 2010). "I never expected a film like Naan Kadavul from Tamil". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  33. "'Kannathil Muthamittal' bags 6 Cinema Express awards". The Hindu. 22 December 2002. Archived from the original on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  34. "First look of Jyothika-Bala film". The Times of India. 28 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  35. "Naachiyar first look: Suriya unveils Jyothika's never-seen-before avatar, see pics". Indian Express. 28 February 2017. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  36. "Jyothika, G.V. Prakash to star in Bala's next". The Hindu. 28 February 2017. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  37. "First look of Arun Vijay - Bala's 'Vanangaan' out". The Hindu. 25 September 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.