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{{Short description|Indian journalist, filmmaker, and analyst (1935–2014)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{multiple issues|{{sources|date=December 2024}}
{{AI-generated|date=September 2025}}}}
{{Infobox writer 
| name = S. Balasubramanian
| image = S. BALASUBRAMANIYAN (S.S.BALAN)- OIL PAINTING BY RAJASEKHARAN.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Oil painting of S. S. Balan.
| pseudonym =
| birth_name = S. Balasubramanian
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1935|12|28|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Madras]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj|British India]] (now [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]])
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2014|12|19|1935|12|28|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| occupation = Journalist, filmmaker & political analyst
| ethnicity =
| citizenship =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| period =
| genre =
| subject =
| movement =
| notableworks =
| spouse =
| partner =
| children =
| relatives =
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}}

'''S. Balasubramanian''' (28 December 1935 – 19 December 2014), better known as '''S. S. Balan''', was an [[Indian people|Indian]] [[journalist]], [[Filmmaking|filmmaker]], [[Political science|political analyst]], and media executive. He was also involved in [[aviculture]] and [[agriculture]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ss Balan: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday {{!}} Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/ss-balan |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

Balan had a six-decade-long career in Indian media as the editor of the [[Tamil language|Tamil-language]] magazine, ''[[Ananda Vikatan]],'' based in [[Chennai|Chennai, India]], and as managing director of [[Gemini Studios]], starting in 1956.<ref name=":2" /> He later served as chairman emeritus of the Vikatan Group, after retiring from active involvement.

Balan died on 19 December 2014 in Chennai, India.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Vikatans Balasubramaniam dies at 78 {{!}} PrintWeekIndia |url=https://www.printweek.in/news/vikatans-balasubramaniam-dies-12643 |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=PrintWeek |language=en}}</ref>
[[Category:Indian media executives]]

== Early life and education ==
Balan was born on 28 December 1935 in [[Madras]] (now [[Chennai]]) to [[S. S. Vasan]] and Pattammal Vasan (d. 1996). He was the second child and only son, with an elder sister named Lakshmi Narayani. The family resided in their ancestral Edward Elliots Road home (later renamed Radhakrishnan Salai).<ref>{{cite news |date=20 December 2004 |title=A look at Gemini House's legacy |url=http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/12/20/stories/2004122010580200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130811162153/http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/12/20/stories/2004122010580200.htm |archive-date=11 August 2013 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The house was later converted into an office building.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 December 2004 |title=Giving way to modernity |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2004/12/09/stories/2004120902041700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813191717/http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2004/12/09/stories/2004120902041700.htm |archive-date=2014-08-13 |newspaper=Business Line}}</ref>

Balan studied at [[St. Ann's Presentation Convent High School, Rawalpindi|Presentation Convent]], Church Park, and P. S. High School, and went on to earn a [[Bachelor of Commerce|B.Com.]] degree from [[Loyola College, Chennai|Loyola College]], Madras.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-12-22 |title=Vikatan group chief S. Balasubramanian passes away |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-and-current-affairs/story/vikatan-group-chief-s-balasubramanian-passes-away-on-december-19-2014-232305-2014-12-22 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

== Magazine career ==
''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'', the flagship weekly magazine of Vikatan Publications, was founded in 1926 and acquired by Balan's father, [[S. S. Vasan]] in 1928. It is one of the longest-running [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language publications.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 March 2005 |title=Ananda Vikatan, largest-selling Tamil weekly |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/25/stories/2005032503341200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050426075428/http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/25/stories/2005032503341200.htm |archive-date=26 April 2005 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Under family ownership, ''Vikatan'' grew in readership and influence within [[Tamil language|Tamil]] media, literature, and the arts.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 April 2011 |title=Celebrating a multifaceted talent |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article1704739.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

Balan joined ''Ananda Vikatan'' as joint managing director and chief editor on 26 August 1956 at 19. He became managing director on 26 August 1969, following the death of his father, Vasan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=S. Bala Subramyan - Movies, Biography, News, Age & Photos |url=https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/s-bala-subramyan/IEIN019861 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=BookMyShow |language=en-IN}}</ref> His concurrent leadership of ''Ananda Vikatan'' and [[Gemini Studios]] led to his being colloquially referred to as "M.D." in [[Chennai]] media circles during the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=S.S. Balan {{!}} Dirección, Producción |url=https://www.imdb.com/es/name/nm0049416/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=IMDb |language=es-MX}}</ref>

In 1987, Balan was involved in a [[Freedom of speech|freedom of the press]] controversy when the Privileges Committee of the [[Tamil Nadu]] Legislative Assembly sentenced him to three months in prison over a cartoon satire published on the cover of ''Ananda Vikatan''.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last=T. S. |first=Subramanian |date=5 December 2003 |title=The media and the state government |url=http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2024/stories/20031205004912400.htm |journal=Frontline |volume=20 |issue=24}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=8 December 2008 |title=Media under fire in Tamil Nadu |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2003/12/08/media-under-fire-tamil-nadu-br |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017091406/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2003/12/08/media-under-fire-tamil-nadu-br |archive-date=17 October 2013 |newspaper=Asian Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=4 April 1987 |title=Indian Editor Sentenced to Hard Labor for Lampooning Politicians |url=https://apnews.com/0e9e5344a2bd3ad2bf1e38eff6c9e8af |newspaper=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Namboodiri |first=Udayan |date=7 May 2012 |title=Hollywood of the ugly |url=http://archive.dailypioneer.com/columnists/item/51600-hollywood-of-the-ugly.html?tmpl=component&print=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130811162256/http://archive.dailypioneer.com/columnists/item/51600-hollywood-of-the-ugly.html?tmpl=component&print=1 |archive-date=11 August 2013 |newspaper=Daily Pioneer}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Aggarwal |first=S. K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hDmn6LI_ZDEC&q=s+balasubramanian+vikatan&pg=PA226 |title=Media Credibility |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=1989 |isbn=81-7099-1579 |location=New Delhi |pages=224–226}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Warrier |first=Shoba |date=19 November 2003 |title=The whole Constitution goes for a six |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/nov/19inter.htm |newspaper=Rediff.com}}</ref> Following public backlash, he was released after two days. In 1994, the [[Madras High Court]] ruled in his favor, awarding him ₹1,000 in compensation, which he reportedly framed and displayed in his office.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |last=K |first=Ramachandran |date=16 November 2003 |title=A trophy to remember |url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/11/16/stories/2003111602121000.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040101101139/http://www.hindu.com/2003/11/16/stories/2003111602121000.htm |archive-date=1 January 2004 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

Balan introduced a mentorship program for student journalists, contributing to the development of many Tamil media professionals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ananda Vikatan, the Tamil weekly, gets a new editor |url=http://www.exchange4media.com/news/story.aspx?News_id=16808 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813170045/https://www.exchange4media.com/news/story.aspx?News_id=16808 |archive-date=13 August 2014 |publisher=Exchange4media.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rangan |first=Bharadhwaj |date=25 February 2010 |title=Thamarai: Interview |url=http://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/interview-thamarai/}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=V |first=Jagannathan |date=30 April 2012 |title=Abducted Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon used to be a student journalist |url=http://www.theweekendleader.com/Causes/1103/Friend-in-need.html |journal=The Weekend Leader |volume=3 |issue=17}}</ref> He supported the careers of several editors, journalists and writers. He was credited for helping [[Cho Ramaswamy]] launch ''[[Thuglak]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news |last=B |first=Subajayanthi |date=27 March 2004 |title=Face with Many Masks |url=http://www.hindu.com/yw/2004/03/27/stories/2004032700510300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914031314/http://www.hindu.com/yw/2004/03/27/stories/2004032700510300.htm |archive-date=14 September 2008 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

Writers who credited Balan with mentorship include [[Manian]], [[Sujatha (actress)|Sujatha]], [[Balakumaran]], [[Crazy Mohan]], [[Madhan (writer)|Madhan]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Madhan no more holds position in 'Ananda Vikatan' magazine |url=http://www.tamilstar.com/news-id-madhan-ananda-vikatan-18-05-122171.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916051013/http://www.tamilstar.com/news-id-madhan-ananda-vikatan-18-05-122171.htm |archive-date=16 September 2012 |publisher=tamilstar.com}}</ref> and [[Rajesh Kumar (actor)|Rajesh Kumar]].<ref>{{cite news |date=9 August 2010 |title=A writer eyeing the Guinness |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/09/stories/2010080950460200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106205203/http://hindu.com/2010/08/09/stories/2010080950460200.htm |archive-date=6 November 2010 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=L.R. |first=Jagadeesan |date=11 January 1999 |title=Social work has been a mission since the age of 14 for this retired librarian |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/offtrack/story/19990111-social-work-has-been-a-mission-since-the-age-of-14-for-this-retired-librarian-779851-1999-01-10 |newspaper=India Today}}</ref> ''Vikatan'' expanded its operations to include the publication of multiple Tamil magazines and books. It was among the early Indian publishers to adopt computerized typesetting and launch digital platforms. One of its noted projects was publishing a Tamil edition of the ''Concise'' [[Encyclopædia Britannica]].<ref>{{cite news |date=29 April 2007 |title=Karunanidhi releases Encyclopædia Britannica in Tamil |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/29/stories/2007042902840300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501075657/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/29/stories/2007042902840300.htm |archive-date=1 May 2007 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> After Balan stepped down from his editorial role at age 70, changes in editorial direction drew criticism from some readers.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kaarthik |date=22 September 2009 |title=Vikatan Becomes Sleazy |url=http://chummaaorublog.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/vikatan-becomes-sleazy/}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Films
!Director
!Writer
!Producer
!Language
!Notes
|-
|1961
|''[[Gharana (1961 film)|Gharana]]''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
| rowspan="2" |Hindi
|
|-
|1963
|''[[Grahasti (film)|Grahasti]]''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|
|-
|1966
|''[[Motor Sundaram Pillai]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|Tamil
|
|-
|1967
|[[Aurat (1967 film)|''Aurat'']]
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
| rowspan="2" |Hindi
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1968
|''[[Teen Bahuraniyan]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|
|-
|''[[Oli Vilakku|Oli]]'' ''[[Oli Vilakku|Vilakku]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|Tamil
|
|-
|1969
|''[[Shatranj (1969 film)|Shatranj]]''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
| rowspan="3" |Hindi
|
|-
|1971
|''[[Lakhon Me Ek|Lakhon Mein Ek]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|
|-
|1972
|''[[Sanjog (1971 film)|Sanjog]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1974
|''[[Sirithu Vazha Vendum|Siriththu Vaazha Vendum]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|Tamil
|
|-
|''Kannavaari Kalalu''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|Telugu
|
|-
|1975
|''[[Ellorum Nallavare]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|Tamil
|Also released in Hindi as ''Ek Gaon Ki Kahani''
|-
|1976
|''[[Maa Daivam]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|Telugu
|
|-
|1978
|''[[Nishan (1978 film)|Nishan]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|Bengali
|
|}

== Personal life ==
Balan died of a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] on 19 December 2014 in Chennai, nine days before his 79th birthday.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-12-24 |title=Chairman of Vikatan Group of Publications Passes Away - The New Indian Express |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Chairman-of-Vikatan-Group-of-Publications-Passes-Away/2014/12/19/article2579362.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224130524/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Chairman-of-Vikatan-Group-of-Publications-Passes-Away/2014/12/19/article2579362.ece |archive-date=24 December 2014 |access-date=2025-02-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=IndiaToday.in |date=2014-12-22 |title=Vikatan group chief S. Balasubramanian passes away |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-and-current-affairs/story/vikatan-group-chief-s-balasubramanian-passes-away-on-december-19-2014-232305-2014-12-22 |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Gemini Studios}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Balan, S. S.}}
[[Category:Indian male journalists]]
[[Category:Loyola College, Chennai alumni]]
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:Writers from Chennai]]
[[Category:Indian male novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:Novelists from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male writers]]

S. S. Balan - Revision history

Thefacecentre at 10:08, 11 January 2026