Balu Mahendra
Balu Mahendra is a film director from South India. He was born in Sri Lanka as Benjamin Mahendra, and developed an early interest in photography.
He graduated from the London University, a cinematography graduate and a gold medallist from the FTII in Pune. He started his film career as a cameraman for the Malayalam film Nellu in 1974 which got him the best cinematographer award from the Government of India. He has been chosen the best cinematographer for as many as ten films. He pioneered innovative camera style for colour in South India.
Film Career
His first film as a director was Kokila (Kannada,1976), which earned him a National Award. Azhiyatha Kolanagl (1979) was his first directorial venture in Tamil. He is one of the few film makers in Tamil who can tell a story visually. He writes the script for his films, handles the camera and edits the film himself, thus retaining a firm control over his films.
He worked mainly in Malayalam for directors like K. S. Sethumadhavan and P. N. Menon, before making his first film in Kannada, and then moving on to direct films in Malayalam and Tamil. He regards his Malayalam films, made with greater freedom in a less demanding economic system as his best movies.
Balu Mahendra is said to have witnessed the shooting of David Lean's The Bridge on the River Kwai and was so impressed that he decided to become a filmmaker.
The film director Mani Ratnam approached Balu Mahendra to work on the cinematography of his first film, Pallavi Anu Pallavi. Balu Mahendra's strength as a cinematographer has helped him use visuals as an effective vehicle to carry the story forward. He has handled social issues like red tapism, corruption and old age in films like Sandhya Raagam. The women in his films come out strongly as can be seen in Veedu (Tamil).
Being the scriptwriter, cameraman and editor for his films, he retains control over all aspects of his film.
Landmark Films
- Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam (2005)
- Julie Ganapathy (2003)
- Sathi Leelavathi (1995)
- Marupadiyum (1993)
- Vanna Vanna Pookal (1991)
- Sandhya Raagam (1989)
- Veedu (1988)
- Rettai Vaal Kuruvi (1987)
- Yathra (1985) - Malayalam
- Neengal Kettavai (1984)
- Moondram Pirai (1983)
- Olangal (1982) - Malayalam
- Azhiyadha Kolangal (1979)
- Kokila (1977)
- Motor Sundaram Pillai (1966)
Facts
- Balu Mahendra is a gold medallist from the Pune Film Institute.
- Balu Mahendra was Cinematographer for Mani Ratnam's first movie, 'Pallavi Anu Pallavi' (Kannada). It has been reported that he almost refused to work with Mani Ratnam whom he perceived as a novice at that time. He has since been quoted as admiring Mani Ratnam for his 'Infectious enthusiasm'.