Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran, commonly known as Balu Mahendra, was a cinematographer, director, screenwriter and film editor who worked in various Indian film industries, primarily in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. Born in Sri Lanka, Mahendran developed a passion for photography and literature at a young age, after witnessing the shoot of David Lean's The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) during a school trip in Sri Lanka, he was drawn towards filmmaking. He graduated from London University and started his career as a draughtsman with the Sri Lankan Government. In 1966, he moved to India and gained admission to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) to pursue a course in motion picture photography. Upon completion of his diploma, he entered Malayalam cinema as a cinematographer in the early 1970s.
Muthal Mariyathai is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film produced, directed and co-written by Bharathiraja. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Radha, with Vadivukkarasi, newcomers Deepan and Ranjini, Janagaraj, Sathyaraj, Aruna, Veerasami and Ramanathan in supporting roles. It revolves around the relationship between an unhappily married village chief and a young boatwoman.
Mantri Gari Viyyankudu s a 1983 Telugu-language film released directed by Bapu and stars Chiranjeevi in the lead role and Poornima Jayaram, Nirmalamma and Allu Ramalingaiah in important roles.
Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthal... is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by Balu Mahendra. It stars Rajinikanth and Madhavi, with Y. G. Mahendran in a prominent role. V. K. Ramasamy and Senthamarai play other pivotal roles. The film, released on 20 June 1985, was an average grosser at the box office and had a theatrical run of 75 days.
Mullum Malarum is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Mahendran. Produced by Venu Chettiar and V. Mohan, the film stars Rajinikanth, Sarath Babu, Jayalaxmi and Shoba. It marks Mahendran's directorial debut and is partly based on Uma Chandran's novel of the same name, which was serialised in the Tamil magazine Kalki in 1966. Mullum Malarum tells the story of Kali (Rajinikanth), a winch operator of a cable trolley who dotes on his sister Valli (Shoba) since they were orphaned, and clashes with his boss Kumaran.
Mangala Vaathiyam is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by K. Shankar and produced by Gopikrishnan son of M. S. Viswanathan. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Sripriya, Y. G. Mahendran and Nagesh. It was released on 21 September 1979.
Kokila is a 1977 Indian Kannada-language romance film directed, written and filmed by Balu Mahendra. The film stars Shoba playing the title character along with Kamal Haasan, Roja Ramani and Mohan in other prominent roles. The film marked the directorial debut of Balu Mahendra, who was a cinematographer working predominantly in South Indian films then. The film also marked the acting debut of actor Mohan in Kannada & Indian cinema.
Azhiyatha Kolangal is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language coming-of-age film directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Pratap Pothen and Shoba. Kamal Haasan played a guest role in the film. The film was Balu Mahendra's second directorial venture and his first in Tamil. Partly autobiographical, the film dealt with the events that happen during the adolescence of three friends who live in a small village. In addition to directing the film, Balu Mahendra wrote the screenplay and shot the film. The film is inspired by the 1971 Hollywood film Summer of '42.The film was released on 7 December 1979. Upon release, Azhiyadha Kolangal received critical acclaim, and was premièred at the "Indian Panorama" of the International Film Festival of India in 1980. A spiritual successor, Azhiyatha Kolangal 2, was released in 2019.
Yecha Gunja Mahendran, also known as Y. G. Mahendra or Y. G. Mahendraa, is an Indian actor, dramatist, actor, singer, playwright and comedian from the state of Tamil Nadu. He has acted in a number of plays and films. He is the son of Y. G. Parthasarathy, one of the pioneers of modern Tamil drama and Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, founder and dean of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan group of schools, and nephew of veteran Tamil filmmaker K. Balaji. Mahendran is also the cousin of actress Vyjayanthimala and the co-brother of Rajinikanth and Mohanlal.
Olangal (transl. Waves) is a 1982 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Balu Mahendra. The film's plot is inspired from novel Man, Woman and Child by Erich Segal.
Pinnilavu is a 1983 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by P. G. Viswambharan and written by Thoppil Bhasi, based on the story of the same name by C. Radhakrishnan. It stars Madhu, Srividya, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Poornima Bhagyaraj, M G Soman, Mukesh, Maniyan Pillai Raju, and Sukumari. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film is about a fight of ethics between a father and son.
Payanangal Mudivathillai is a 1982 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film stars Mohan and Poornima Jayaram, with Rajini, S. Ve. Shekher, Poornam Viswanathan, Rajesh and Goundamani in supporting roles. Its plot revolves around a woman who falls in love with a singer whom she helped to rise to fame but struggles to declare her love for him.
Nenjathai Killathe is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Mahendran. The film stars Suhasini, Sarath Babu, Pratap and Mohan. It focuses on a girl who is torn between the man she loved, and the man she married.
Mounam Sammadham is a 1990 Indian Tamil-language legal thriller film written by S. N. Swamy, directed by K. Madhu and produced by Kovai Chezhiyan. The film stars Mammootty and Amala. It revolves around a lawyer representing a wrongfully convicted man.
Moodu Pani is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language psychological thriller film written, directed and filmed by Balu Mahendra. Starring his then wife Shoba and Pratap, with N. Viswanathan, Gandhimathi, Mohan and Bhanu Chander in supporting roles, it is based on two novels: Idhuvum Oru Viduthalai Thaan (1978) by Rajendra Kumar, and The Collector (1963) by John Fowles. The film follows Chandru (Pratap), who has a strong hatred towards prostitutes and would kill any such woman he encounters. He falls in love with Rekha (Shoba) and believes marrying her will end his psychological distress.
Neengal Kettavai is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language masala film written and directed by Balu Mahendra. It stars Thiagarajan, Bhanu Chander, Archana and Silk Smitha in major roles, while Jaishankar had an extended cameo as the antagonist. The film was released on 28 June 1984, and was commercially successful.
Rishi Moolam is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by S. P. Muthuraman and written by Mahendran. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya. It is based on Mahendran's play of the same name. The film was released on 26 January 1980.
Paritchaikku Neramaachu is a 1982 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by Muktha Srinivasan and produced by Muktha Ramaswamy. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Sujatha, Thengai Srinivasan and Y. G. Mahendran. It is based on Mahendran's play of the same name. The film was released on 14 November 1982.
Navagraham is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Nagesh, Srikanth, R. Muthuraman and Lakshmi, with Ragini, Sivakumar, Rama Prabha, Y. G. Mahendran, V. Gopalakrishnan and G. Sakunthala in supporting roles. It was released on 3 September 1970.
En Aasai Unnoduthan is a 1983 Indian Tamil-language romance film edited and directed by K. Narayanan. The film stars Prem and Poornima Jayaram, with Thengai Srinivasan, Y. G. Mahendran, Rajini, Oru Viral Krishna Rao and Jaishankar in supporting roles. It was released on 30 September 1983.
