K Balachander’s cinema marked a distinct departure from the traditional idiom of popular Tamil cinema. MV speaks to the government servant-turned award winning film maker, who was conferred the Phalke Award this year.

K.Balachander’s impressive oeuvre spans theatre, movies and television. His films, serials and plays have been meaningful and thought-provoking. This ex-government employee who quit his job and entered cinema has been steeped in the entertainment industry for about five decades. His contribution to cinema is immense having more than a century of films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. Therefore, it’s not surprising that he’s been conferred the nation’s highest honour in cinema – the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award recently. The doyen speaks to Media Voice:

Congratulations on the Dada Saheb Phalke Award. How does it feel to receive it after so many decades in cinema?

It feels very satisfying, always nice to know that one’s work has been appreciated and noticed. And to be recognised by the government is something wonderful. It is satisfying to know that I have made a difference.

You started from theatre, went on to make more than 100 movies and even television serials. How has the journey been?

It has been exciting and eventful journey. But in every discipline I have never compromised, never taken success for granted. So, the journey has been both challenging and gratifying, both hard as well as worth it.

Do you feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment discovering actors and mentoring many technicians in cinema? How do you have this uncanny ability in spotting talent? Kamal Hassan and Rajnikant, your discoveries, have reached great heights...

It is always satisfying for any teacher to see his students do well. Most of those who worked with me still remember me with affection and respect. I have been very lucky in my choices. I choose those artistes whom I am confident I can train and convert to become my characters and since I’m sure how my characters will behave those artistes become popular in my films. All I want from people is commitment, passion and hard work. Success will come. I was fortunate to introduce Rajni and Kamal and work with them in their initial years. What they have become today is because of their destiny, sincerity and hard work.

You chose to etch strong women characters and make women-centric films in a largely hero-dominated industry. Even your stories/themes which are strongly rooted in emotions were quite ahead of their times. In a way you brought a certain metamorphosis in Tamil cinema...

Thank you for your kind observations. I am happy to have made a difference. I have always believed that women are the stronger race and my films just conveyed my convictions. Women run the family, society and the world. My women characters have always been strong bold, brave and forward thinking. I believed in them as I believed in all that I tried to say in my films.

What is keeping you busy now?

Why now? I’m always busy and will be till my last breath! I am doing a thought-provoking television serial (Shanti Nilayam on Jaya TV), working on a film script, giving final touches for a new stage play for my theatre group, writing my memoirs, shooting for a documentary on my cinema, watching films and theatre and trying to spend quality time with my grand children. Wish there was more than 24 hours to a day!

Hall of Fame
1. Thaneer Thaneer
2. Sindhu Bhairavi
3. Rudra Veena
4. Varumayin Niram Sigappu
5. Ek Duuje Ke Liye
6. Thillu Mullu
7. Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
8. Punnagai Mannan
9. Moondru Mudichu
10. Aakali Rajyam
11. Duet
12. Maro Charithra
13. Apoorva Raagangal
14. Paarthale Paravasam
15. Naan Avanillai
16. Aaina
17. Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
18. Ninaithale Inikkum
19. Ethir Neechal
20. Azhakan

BY Radhika Rajamani