Bala (director)

2021-05-26T09:18:28Z

2401:4900:4DDB:3E71:49F3:FB34:2F58:AE4:

{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bala
| image = Director Bala at Salim Movie Audio Launch.jpg
| caption = Bala at ''[[Salim (film)|Salim ]]'' Movie Audio Launch.
| birthname = Bala Palanisamy<ref>{{cite news |title=Varmaa controversy: Director Bala says he stepped down after he was asked to make changes to the Dhruv Vikram-starrer |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/feb/09/varmaa-controversy-director-bala-says-he-stepped-down-after-he-was-asked-to-make-changes-to-the-dhr-10036.html |access-date=10 February 2019 |work=[[Cinema Express]] |date=9 February 2019}}</ref>
| birth_date = 
| birth_place = Narayanathevanpatti, [[Chinnamanur]], [[Theni district|Theni]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| othername =
| occupation = Director, screenwriter, film producer
| years_active = 1998–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Muthumalar|2004}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/lf/2004/07/08/stories/2004070810040200.htm |website=[[The Hindu]] |date=2004-07-08 |title=A star-studded wedding }}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
| children = Praarthana
| domesticpartner =
}}
'''Bala Palanisamy''' is an Indian [[film director]], [[screenwriter]], and producer, working in [[Tamil cinema]]. Often considered to be one of the finest Indian directors, Bala is widely acclaimed for "revolutionizing Tamil cinema"<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110811030631/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-25/news-interviews/28141393_1_tamil-cinema-national-award-antaheen Bala: Man of the moment]. indiatimes.com (25 January 2010). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110710033701/http://www.sify.com/movies/naan-kadavul-fever-begins-worldwide-news-tamil-kkfsxoejhec.html Naan Kadavul fever begins worldwide!]. Sify.com (3 February 2009). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/44767.html Pyramid Saimira releasing Naan kadavul in USA]. IndiaGlitz. Retrieved on 21 June 2011.</ref> through his realistic, dark and disturbing depiction of the working class on celluloid screen.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110811030631/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-25/news-interviews/28141393_1_tamil-cinema-national-award-antaheen Bala: Man of the moment]. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (25 January 2010). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/mar-09-04/bala-24-03-09.html Bala's change for Soundarya]. Behindwoods.com (24 March 2009). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.</ref>

Just within directing a handful of films, his movies went on to win 6 National Awards, 13 State awards, 15 Filmfare Awards, 14 International Festival Awards and numerous coveted state awards which created a storm within the Indian movie scene. Apart from the awards, actors who played lead roles were transformed into brand new avatars and became stars.

== Film career ==
[[File:Bala Paradesi Shoot.jpg|thumb|Bala on the sets of his film ''[[Paradesi (2013 film)|Paradesi]]''.]]
Bala was introduced by lyricist [[Arivumathi]] to director [[Balu Mahendra]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Saravanan|first=T.|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/poet-and-lyricist-arivumathi-talks-about-his-struggles-to-stay-afloat-in-the-mad-rush-to-name-and-fame/article6485201.ece|title=Man of his word|date=2014-10-09|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-26|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Initially he was working as a production assistant in Balu Mahendra movie.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/sep/25/to-sir-with-love-294459.html|title=To Sir, with love|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-03-26}}</ref> Later Bala turned to work with him as assistant director in his movies.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Kolappan|first1=B.|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/master-craftsman-who-was-also-a-great-teacher/article5684162.ece|title=Master craftsman who was also a great teacher|date=2014-02-13|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-26|last2=Subramanian|first2=Karthik|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/5-filmmaking-tropes-of-bala/|title=5 Filmmaking Tropes of Bala|date=2017-04-24|website=Film Companion|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-26}}</ref> Bala made his directorial debut with ''[[Sethu (film)|Sethu]]'' in 1999, that gave a break to [[Vikram (actor)|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'.<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/10/19/stories/09190224.htm The Hindu : About maternal bond]. Hinduonnet.com (19 October 2001). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.</ref><ref>[http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2009/mar/10slde2-bala-on-naan-kadavul-god-and-faith.htm 'You can't compare Bala to anyone else']. Specials.rediff.com (10 March 2009). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.</ref> The film was said to have initiated a 'new wave'<ref>[http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2009/mar/10slde1-bala-on-naan-kadavul-god-and-faith.htm Exclusive: Bala on Naan Kadavul, God and faith]. Specials.rediff.com (10 March 2009). Retrieved on 21 June 2011.</ref> as it received critical acclaim and became a hit. Its success led to remakes in Kannada (''[[Huchcha]]''), Telugu (''[[Seshu]]'') and Hindi (''[[Tere Naam]]'') languages.

== Quotes ==
"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." [[Shaji N. Karun]], who headed the jury of the [[56th National Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Vilakudy |first=Rajaneesh |title=I never expected a film like Naan Kadavul from Tamil |url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/28/why-bala-got-his-national-award.htm |publisher=Rediff.com |access-date=16 March 2013 |date=28 January 2010}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="width:20px;"| Year
! rowspan="2" style="width:100px;"| Film
! colspan="3" | Credited as
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:500px;" class="unsortable"| Awards/Nominations
|-
! style="width:10px;" | Director
! style="width:20px;" | Writer
! width=30 | Producer
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Sethu (film)|Sethu]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||
[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director]] [[Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil]] 
[[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil]] [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]]
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Nandha]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||
Nominated – [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil]] 
[https://web.archive.org/web/20171024031912/http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/22/stories/2002122206330300.htm 22nd Cinema Express Award for Best Director– Tamil]
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Pithamagan]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||
[[ITFA Best Director Award]] 
[[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil]]
|-
| 2005 || ''[[Maayavi]]'' || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} ||
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Naan Kadavul]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||
[[National Film Award for Best Direction]] 
[[Vijay Award for Best Director]] 
Nominated – [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil]]
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Avan Ivan]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||
|-
| 2013 || ''[[Paradesi (2013 film)|Paradesi]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||
South Indian Cinematographers Association (SICA) Awards – Best Director 
[[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil]] 
[[Vijay Award for Best Director]] 
B – [[3rd South Indian International Movie Awards]] 
Best Director – [[Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards]] 
Best Director – [[Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards]] 
Special Jury Award – [[11th Chennai International Film Festival]] 
Best Film – [[Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards]] 
Best Film (Special Appreciation) – [http://siima.in/2014/winners.html 3rd South Indian International Movie Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519165255/http://siima.in/2014/winners.html |date=19 May 2017 }} 
Best Film – [[Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards]] 
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Pisaasu]]'' || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}||
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Chandi Veeran]]'' || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}||
|-
| 2016 || ''[[Tharai Thappattai]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Naachiyaar]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||<ref name="FL">{{cite news |title=First look of Jyothika-Bala film |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/first-look-of-jyothika-bala-film/articleshow/57390391.cms |access-date=1 March 2017 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=28 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="pics">{{cite news |title=Naachiyar first look: Suriya unveils Jyothika's never-seen-before avatar, see pics |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/naachiyar-first-look-suriya-unveils-jyothika-never-seen-before-avatar-see-pics-4547968/ |access-date=1 March 2017 |work=[[Indian Express]] |date=28 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="naach">{{cite news |title=Jyothika, G.V. Prakash to star in Bala's next |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/jyothika-gv-prakash-to-star-in-balas-next/article17382016.ece |access-date=1 March 2017 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=28 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|2020
|''[[Varmaa]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|
|-
|2021
|''[[Visithiran]]''
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote|Bala}}
* {{IMDb name|1220246|Bala}}

{{Bala (director)}}
{{NationalFilmAwardBestDirection}}
{{FilmfareAwardBestTamilDirector}}
{{TamilNaduStateAwardForBestDirector}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bala}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Best Director National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:Tamil-language film directors]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:Tamil screenwriters]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

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Bala (director)