A Birthday tribute to Bala - A gem of Tamil cinema!!!

There are film directors who give films with good content and get hailed by people with good understanding and sublime taste of filmmaking. There are directors who know the pulse of entertainment seekers and continuously churn out box office money spinners. Bala the man belongs to the rare breed of directors who have excelled in both these attributes expected from a director celebrates his birthday today.

Born joined the school of veteran director Balu Mahendra as a rough youngster from Theni district near Madurai. After so many struggles he made his first film 'Sethu' and has till date directed seven films and also produced a few films and has cemented a highly respected position. Three of his films ('Pithamagan', 'Naan Kadavul' and 'Paradesi') have won National awards.

Indiaglitz wishes Bala a very happy birthday and here is the slide feature of his contributions, as a tribute to one of the highly acclaimed filmmakers of India.

Sethu

Bala's first film 'Sethu' was long delayed due to various issues and finally released in 1999.The film which released in minimum number of screens would have passed over like any other film from a newcomer. but the poignant content and the 'close to real' kind of filmmaking from this man. The film which was a commercial super hit and also critically acclaimed was not just the effective launchpad of a filmmaker who would go a long way to fetch some of the prestigious acclaims for Tamil cinema but also the long needed break for actor Vikram who was struggling to make heads turn towards him.

Nandha

With his second film 'Nanda' Bala gave the same kind of break to actor Suriya who was struggling to get what his hard work and talent really deserved. He made Suriya express his anger with his eyes and redefined the angry young man character. This film also actor Rajkiran as a character artiste and today he has become one of the most sought after character actor. The film that released in 2002 was highly acclaimed and also an average grosser at the box office.

Pithamagan

In his third film 'Pithamagan' which combined the heroes of his first two films fetched. Vikram played the role of a 'Vettiyan' who was uncivilized as he was born and brought up in a crematorium and got the first national award in his career. Suriya role as a conman revealed that this talented actor who was typecast in 'man of few words' roles earlier, can excel in comedy. That way this film unearthed a new talent of Suriya and remains one of the most important films in his career. The film that released in 2003 was also a commercial super hit.

Naan Kadavul

With his fourth film 'Naan Kadavul' Bala touched something that any normal filmmaker would not have the courage to. He captured the lifestyle of Aghoris whose ways of lives are largely considered unethical, the physically challenged beggars who we just pass across in temples and the network that makes a earning by controlling these destitute people. Arya who was till then considered as a stylish hero went deglam and acted as an 'Aghori' with finesse. The film may not be a commercial hit but stands as one of the powerful, bold and close to offbeat films to have been made in Tamil film. As a testimony to this Bala, was recognized at the national level with his first National award for 'Best director'.

Avan Ivan

Bala's apparently tried a commercial potboiler with his fifth film 'Avan Ivan' and it was advertised as a comic caper. But the film's comedy portions did not work out as expected. Neverthless this with did not burn the producer's pockets. And this film is also an important film for young actors Vishal's career as this was the first film that brought his emoting skills to fore and launched him as an actor who can fit into performance oriented role as well.

Paradesi

Bala for the first time took up a period flick as a director and also produced it. This film was loosely base on the highly acclaimed novel 'Red Tea' written by Paul Harris which captured the plight of poor dalit tea estate workers and the inhuman treatment faced by them from their British owners and their accomplices. The film was highly appreciated for its authentic portrayal of the period and deft handling of the content. It also fetched a national award for Best costume designers and was a turning point for its lead actor Atharvaa who was till then typecast in chocolate hero roles. It did average business at the box office.

Tharai Thappattai

Bala's is currently working on this film which is touted as a fictional take on the lives of Karakattam and Nadaswaram artistes. Sasikumar and Varalakshmi Sarathkumar are playing the lead roles and the shooting is still going on. The film has created history as soon as it was launched because this will be the 1000th film of music composer 'Isaignani' Ilayaraja who has worked with Bala in his earlier films 'Sethu', 'Pithamagan' and 'Naan Kadavul'.

As a Pr