1. Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran, commonly known as Balu Mahendra, was a Sri Lankan Tamil cinematographer, director, screenwriter and film editor who worked in various Indian film industries, primarily in Tamil and Malayalam cinema.
36 Facts About Balu Mahendra
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Widely regarded as an auteur, Balu Mahendra usually scripted and edited his films apart from shooting them.
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Balu Mahendra was the recipient of six National Film Awards, five Filmfare Awards South and several state government awards.
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Balu Mahendra was born on 19 May 1939 into a Sri Lankan Tamil Christian family in the village of Amirthakali near Batticaloa, British Ceylon.
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Right from his childhood, Balu Mahendra was interested in fine arts and literature.
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Balu Mahendra had to take up cinematography as he could not gain admissions to other disciplines.
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In 1969, Balu Mahendra graduated from the institute with a gold medal.
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Balu Mahendra got his first break as a cinematographer in 1971 in the Malayalam film Nellu.
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Balu Mahendra continued to work in Malayalam films such as Sasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu, Kaliyugam and Chattakari.
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Balu Mahendra had continued successes with films such as Prayanam and Chuvanna Sandhyakal, both fetching the state award for best photography to him for the second consecutive time.
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Apart from handling the cinematography, Balu Mahendra involved himself in other aspects such as screenwriting, casting, editing and direction in the film.
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Balu Mahendra named the film Azhiyadha Kolangal, which according to him was "partly autobiographical".
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Moodu Pani saw Balu Mahendra collaborating with Ilaiyaraaja for the first time; Ilaiyaraaja was Balu Mahendra's regular composer since then.
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In 1982, Balu Mahendra made Moondram Pirai which had Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the lead.
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In 1983, Balu Mahendra entered Hindi cinema with Sadma, a remake of Moondram Pirai, with Kamal Hasan and Sridevi reprising their roles.
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Balu Mahendra received a Filmfare nomination for Best Story and became a well-known director with the Hindi audience with the film.
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Later Balu Mahendra noted that he made the film with a sole intention to prove critics that he could make commercial films.
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Balu Mahendra then worked on the Malayalam film Yathra with Mammooty in the lead role as a forest officer.
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Balu Mahendra named these two films as his best works as they were made with fewest mistakes and compromises.
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In 1992, Mahendra made Vanna Vanna Pookkal which was produced by S Dhanu.
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Balu Mahendra made the film as he felt it was close to his personal life.
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Balu Mahendra then came up with a full-length comedy Sathi Leelavathi in 1995 which was produced by Kamal Haasan.
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Balu Mahendra then made Raman Abdullah, which deals with a friendship between two friends belonging to different religions.
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Balu Mahendra then attempted to make film titled Vaarayo Vennilave with Prabhu in the lead role, but the project was later dropped.
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The film received positive response with Balu Mahendra's acting being well acclaimed.
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Balu Mahendra was first married to Akhileshwari with whom he had a son.
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The last rites of Balu Mahendra were performed at Porur crematorium on the same day.
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Balu Mahendra believed a "well-photographed movie is that which is very close to the script".
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Balu Mahendra was drawn towards realistic cinema after watching Ray's Pather Panchali.
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Balu Mahendra is credited as being one among the earliest filmmakers to bring "naturalism" in Tamil cinema in the 1970s.
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Balu Mahendra usually photographed, scripted and edited all his films.
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Balu Mahendra's films were characterised by strong "visual appeal" and minimal number of characters.
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Balu Mahendra was equally praised for his cinematography and directorial finesse.
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Subrata Mitra, Satyajit Ray's cinematographer, presented a viewfinder to Balu Mahendra acknowledging his talent.
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Fellow cinematographer Madhu Ambat described that it was Balu Mahendra who gave "fame" to those cameramen who came out of the FTII, and further noted that he was one of the few film-makers who effectively used romantic realism.
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Balu Mahendra intended to collaborate with Raja in the 6 films, that he had already conceived, before icy death snatched him away.