K. Balachander

Directing

K. Balachander

Born July 9, 1930 · Nannilam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

Died December 23, 2014 · aged 84

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 signif…

Known For

Unnal Mudiyum ThambiUnnal Mudiyum Thambi · 1988
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
★ 8.21988
MovieFamilyDrama
The son of an orthodox Carnatic Musician spreads awareness about social causes against his father's will, and gains the trust of local people and brings self-awareness to neighbouring villages.
Server SomannaServer Somanna · 1993
Server Somanna
1993
MovieComedyDrama
Somanna, an aspiring actor who works as a waiter gets a break in the film industry with the help of his friend. However, stardom takes away his happiness, forcing him to take a tough decision.
RojaRoja · 1992
Roja
★ 7.01992
MovieDramaAction
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.
Poikkal KudhiraiPoikkal Kudhirai · 1983
Poikkal Kudhirai
★ 10.01983
MovieDrama
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.
Major ChandrakanthMajor Chandrakanth · 1966
Major Chandrakanth
★ 9.01966
MovieThrillerComedy
When Vimala’s wayward lover Rajnikant is killed by her brother Mohan, the brother is sheltered from the police by the victim’s blind father, Major Chandrakanth. The major’s elder son, the zealous cop Srikanth, is in charge of finding Mohan, whom he finally arrests in his own house. Realising that his father knowingly sheltered a murder suspect, Srikanth arrests the blind old man as well.
Mavanige Thakka AliyaMavanige Thakka Aliya · 1992
Mavanige Thakka Aliya
1992
MovieRomanceDrama
based on Crazy Mohan's play Marriage Made in Saloon, which was also adapted from his own 1983 Tamil film Poikkal Kudhirai.
Thulli Thirintha KaalamThulli Thirintha Kaalam · 1998
Thulli Thirintha Kaalam
1998
MovieDrama
Kausalya faces several difficulties when she tries to discipline a group of youngsters who are idlers and always cause huge embarrassment to their families.
DuetDuet · 1994
Duet
★ 7.11994
MovieFamilyComedy
Two musical brothers look for love, only to have their quest end in tragedy for one.

Filmography

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Poikkal KudhiraiPoikkal Kudhirai · 1983
Poikkal Kudhirai
★ 10.01983
MovieDrama
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.

Director