Balu Mahendra

Known for

Directing

Born

May 20, 1939

Birthplace

Batticaloa, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

Died

February 13, 2014 (aged 74)

Biography

Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran or commonly known as Balu Mahendra, was an Indian cinematographer, director, screenwriter and film editor. Born into a Sri Lankan Tamil household, Mahendra developed a passion towards photography and literature at a tender age. He was drawn towards film-making after witnessing the shoot of David Lean's The Bridge on the River Kwai in Sri Lanka. He started his career as a literary editor before gaining an admission to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) to pursue a course in cinematography. Mahendra entered films as a cinematographer in the early 1970s and gradually rose to becoming a film-maker by the end of the decade.

Best known work

Moondram Pirai

1982

Sadma

1983

Sankarabharanam

1980

Sathi Leelavathi

1995

Mullum Malarum

1978

Yathra

1985

Veedu

1988

Moodupani

1980

Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthal...

1985

Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam

2005

Filmography

2013
Thalaimuraigal
as Grandfather, Director, Editor, Director of Photography, Story, Producer, Screenplay
2005
Rama Shama Bhama
Original Story
2005
Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam
Director, Screenplay, Dialogue, Editor, Director of Photography, Story
2003
Julie Ganapathi
Director, Screenplay, Director of Photography, Editor
2001
En Iniya Pon Nilavae
Director, Director of Photography, Story, Screenplay, Dialogue
2000
Kathai NeramTV
Director, Creator
1997
Raman Abdullah
Director, Editor, Story, Screenplay, Director of Photography
1996
Aur Ek Prem Kahani
Director, Editor, Dialogue, Screenplay, Story, Director of Photography
1995
Sathi Leelavathi
Editor, Screenplay, Director, Director of Photography
1993
Marupadiyum
Director, Editor, Director of Photography
1992
Chakravyuham
Director, Story, Screenplay, Editor, Director of Photography
1992
Vanna Vanna Pookkal
Director, Editor, Director of Photography, Story, Screenplay
1991
Lambadolla Ramadasu
Director of Photography
1991
Poonthenaruvi Chuvannu
Director
1989
Sandhya Raagam
Director, Screenplay, Editor, Dialogue, Director of Photography, Producer
1988
Veedu
Director, Editor, Screenplay, Dialogue, Director of Photography
1987
Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
Director, Screenplay, Director of Photography, Editor
1986
Nireekshana
Director, Director of Photography, Screenplay, Editor
1985
Yathra
Director, Screenplay, Director of Photography
1985
Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthal...
Director, Screenplay, Dialogue, Director of Photography
1984
Neengal Kettavai
Director, Director of Photography, Screenplay, Dialogue
1983
Oomakkuyil
Director, Screenplay, Dialogue, Director of Photography, Story
1983
Sadma
Director, Story, Screenplay, Director of Photography
1983
Urangatha Ninaivugal
Director of Photography
1983
Vasanthame Varuga
Story, Screenplay, Director, Editor, Director of Photography