Bala (director)
Bala | |
|---|---|
 Bala at Salim Movie Audio Launch. | |
| Born | Bala Palanisamy[1] 11 July 1966 |
| Alma mater | American College, Madurai |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, Screenwriter, Film producer |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | Muthumalar (m. 2004; div. 2022) |
Bala is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and film producer, working in Tamil cinema. Bala 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
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] Bala 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 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 he impressed fans with the twists and turns in the film. 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]
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."[15]
In 2009, Naan Kadavul featuring Arya and Pooja Umashankar, won its first National Film Award for Best Direction.[16] In 2011, Arya and Vishal playing the lead roles in the comedy drama Avan Ivan.[17] 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.[18] In 2016, overall the performances in Tharai Thappattai are of superior quality and so is the technical aspects.[19] 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.[20] In 2020, the romantic drama Varmaa was disappointed with critics.[21]
Dispute
Bala was chosen as the director of Varmaa, the Tamil remake of Arjun Reddy, for which the rights were bought by E4 Entertainment. Principal photography was wrapped up in September 2018. On 7 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.[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]
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 completed his graduation from American College with an aim to dive into the Tamil film industry.[25] Bala married Muthumalar in 2004 and has a daughter. Bala and Muthumalar divorced in 2022, after 18 years of marriage.[26]
Filmography
As director
As producer
This is a list of films that he produced but did not direct.
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Maayavi | |
| 2014 | Pisaasu | |
| 2015 | Chandi Veeran | |
| 2022 | Visithiran |
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ Naan Kadavul fever begins worldwide!. Sify.com (3 February 2009). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
- ^ Pyramid Saimira releasing Naan kadavul in USA. IndiaGlitz. Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
- ^ Bala's change for Soundarya Archived 29 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Behindwoods.com (24 March 2009). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "To Sir, with love". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "5 Filmmaking Tropes of Bala". Film Companion. 24 April 2017. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ The Hindu : About maternal bond[usurped]. Hinduonnet.com (19 October 2001). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.
- ^ '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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Strangely familiar".
- ^ "20 years of 'Pithamagan': Five soundest outcomes of Bala's directorial featuring Vikram and Suriya".
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Bala bags National Award for Naan Kadavul". 16 May 2012.
- ^ "Avan Ivan". 17 June 2011.
- ^ "Review: Paradesi is exceptional".
- ^ "Thaarai Thappattai - Movie Review". 13 January 2016.
- ^ "Naachiyaar Movie Review". 16 February 2018.
- ^ "Varmaa Movie Review". 6 October 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "azhiyadha kolangal book - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.