Bala
Biography
Balasubramanian known as Bala is a Tamil film director, screenwriter, and producer, working in Tamil cinema. Bala has been praised for “revolutionizing Tamil cinema” through his realistic, dark, and disturbing depiction of the working class on celluloid screens.
Shaji N. Karun, who headed the jury of the 56th National Film Awards, said, “Bala is unique in many ways. The way he changed Tamil cinema's character was commendable ... There were many who tried to change.
Among the new generation of filmmakers, Bala leads the pack in bringing a change in Tamil cinema's outlook and approach.”
Bala was introduced by lyricist Arivumathi to director Balu Mahendra. Initially, he was working as a production assistant in the Balu Mahendra movie. Later Bala turned to work with him as an assistant director in his movies.
Bala made his directorial debut with Sethu in 1999, which gave a break to 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'.
The film was said to have initiated a 'new wave as it received critical acclaim and became a hit. Its success led to remakes in Kannada (Huchcha), Telugu (Seshu), and Hindi (Tere Naam) languages.
Bala married Muthumalar in 2004 and has a daughter. Bala and Muthumalar divorced in 2022, after 18 years of marriage.
