Kailasam Balachandar was an Indian playwright, film director, film producer, screenwriter and actor who worked mainly in the Tamil cinema. He was well known for his distinct film-making style, and the Indian film industry knew him as a master of unconventional themes and hard-hitting contemporary subject matter. Balachander's films are well known for their portrayal of women as bold personalities and central characters. Popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Sigaram, his films are usually centred on unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He started his film career in 1964 as a screenwriter and graduated to a director with Neerkumizhi (1965).
Prakash Raj is an Indian actor, film director, producer, television presenter, and politician. Known for his works in Telugu, Tamil, English, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi-language films, he is the recipient of several accolades, including five National Film Awards, eight Nandi Awards, eight Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, five Filmfare Awards South, four SIIMA Awards, three CineMAA Awards, and three Vijay Awards. Apart from his mother tongue Kannada, Raj's fluency in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, English, Tulu and Marathi has placed him among the most sought after actors in Indian cinema.
Paarthale Paravasam is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Balachander, for whom this was his 100th film. It was produced by Balachander's home banner Kavithalayaa Productions and stars Madhavan Simran, Raghava Lawrence and Sneha. The film's music was composed by A. R. Rahman, whilst A. Venkatesh was cinematographer. It tells the story of a couple going through a breakup after the husband is exposed for having had a child from a juvenile relationship. It also shows the introduction of love interests for the couple, and if they reconcile, forms the crux of the plot.
Poi is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by K. Balachander in his 101st and final film as a director. Produced by Prakash Raj, the film starts Uday Kiran and Vimala Raman, while Geetu Mohandas, Prakash Raj, Adithya Menon, and Avinash play supporting roles along with the director in a guest appearance. The music was composed by Vidyasagar with cinematography by Biju Viswanath. The film released on 22 December 2006.
The Filmfare Best Director Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil (Kollywood) films. The awards were extended to "Best Director" in 1972.
Manmatha Leelai is a 1976 Indian Tamil-language romantic sex comedy film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Aalam. A number of actresses debuted on Tamil industry through this film, including Hema Chaudhary, Jaya Prada, Y. Vijaya among others. It was released on 27 February 1976. Though the film was criticised for its bold content when it released, it has received cult status with passing years and is considered a trendsetter.
Ramesh Aravind, known mononymously as Ramesh, is an Indian actor, director, screenwriter and television presenter. Ramesh has predominantly worked in Kannada and Tamil films along with a few Telugu and Hindi films. Starting his acting career with Sundara Swapnagalu in 1986, Ramesh has appeared in over 140 films besides directing about 10 films. He has so far received two Karnataka State Film Awards namely, for America America (1997) and Hoomale (1998) besides winning Best Story award for his writing; two Filmfare Awards South, two Udaya Film Awards and Suvarna Film Awards.
Vetrimaaran is an Indian film director, film producer and screenwriter who primarily works in Tamil cinema. Well Known for his unique filmography with major commercial success and high critical acclaim works. He has won five National Film Awards, two Filmfare South Awards and one Tamil Nadu State Film Award.
Vaaname Ellai is a 1992 Indian Tamil language drama film written and directed by K. Balachander, starring Anand Babu, Ramya Krishnan, Madhoo, Vishali Kannadasan, Rajesh and Babloo Prithiveeraj. The story involves five characters from different backgrounds, who get vexed with their lives, jointly decide to end their lives together, but begin a short journey of 100 days to live together happily before dying.
Aval Oru Thodar Kathai is a 1974 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. The lead role was played by Sujatha in her first Tamil film, which was also her first starring role. Kamal Haasan, Vijayakumar, Jai Ganesh, M. G. Soman and Sripriya play key roles. The story revolves around a working middle-class woman, who sacrifices her desires to support her large family
Meenakshisundaram Ramasamy Viswanathan, best known by his stage name Visu, was an Indian screenwriter, film director, stage, film and television actor and talk-show host. Visu initially worked as an assistant to director K. Balachander until becoming a director himself. He later began acting, with his first film being Kudumbam Oru Kadambam (1981), directed by S. P. Muthuraman.
Neerkumizhi is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language film directed by K. Balachander in his directorial debut. It portrayed the stories of patients and staff in a hospital setting. The film is based on Balachander's play of the same name. It was released on 23 October 1965. The film was remade in Telugu as Chiranjeevi (1969), and in Malayalam as Aaradimanninte Janmi (1972).
Visaranai is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language crime drama film written and directed by Vetrimaaran. It is based on the novel Lock Up by M. Chandrakumar. The film stars Dinesh, Anandhi, Samuthirakani, Aadukalam Murugadoss, Kishore, Pradheesh Raj, and Silambarasan Rathnasamy. The film deals with the lives of two men before and after being thrown into a kafkaesque scenario in which they get tortured for confession. Vetrimaaran later told that, in the beating sequences in the film, the actors were really beaten, and all of them had to undergo counselling sessions.
Anubavi Raja Anubavi is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language comedy film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Nagesh along with R. Muthuraman, Rajasree and Jayabharathi. It was released on July 1967. The film remade in Hindi as Do Phool (1973), in Malayalam as Aanandham Paramaanandham (1977) and in Kannada as Kittu Puttu (1977).
Gowtham Sundararajan is an Indian actor and choreographer who has worked on Tamil-language films and in television dramas.
Namo Narayana is an Indian actor who has worked in Tamil films. He made a breakthrough as an actor with his performances in Naadodigal (2009) and Komban (2015).
A. L. Ramesh is an Indian film editor, who has worked on Tamil and Telugu films. He has often collaborated on ventures associated with directors Samuthirakani and Sasikumar. Before entering into film industry he worked in the Tamil serial industry. Especial Chitti a serial from Radaan Media Works For his work in Naadodigal (2009), he received a nomination from the Vijay Awards for Best Editor. (2014) won Tamilnadu state award for Best Editor
Naadodigal Gopal was an Indian character actor who worked over 30 films Tamil cinema.
Pathipati Ajay Ghosh is an Indian actor and comedian known for his works primarily in Telugu cinema and theatre, in addition to few Tamil films. He is known for his works in hits such as Jyothi Lakshmi (2015), Visaranai (2016), Rangasthalam (2018), Pushpa: The Rise (2021) and Guntur Kaaram (2024).
Ramany vs Ramany is a Tamil-language sitcom, directed by Naga and produced by K. Balachander under the banner Min Bimbangal. It is the first ever Tamil comedy play in the "sitcom" format. The sitcom follows the happenings in the daily life of a wife and a husband both named Ramany. Mr. Ramany is an innocent sales respresentative while Mrs. Ramany is a housewife who complains about how she wants a better husband. The first season starred Vasuki Anand and Prithvi Raj. First season was first telecasted in 1998 in Sun TV and ran for 25 episodes. The second season starred Ram G and Devadarshini. Second season was telecasted in 2001 in Raj TV and ran for 51 episodes. It was one of the most popular Tamil comedy shows. Both the seasons were re telecasted in Vasanth TV.
