Chennai: Legendary Tamil movie and drama director, screen writer and producer K. Balachander – who was instrumental in bringing talents like Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Prakash Raj to the film industry – passed away here Tuesday, his manager said. He was 84.
Balachander was ailing for some time and was admitted to the Kauvery Hospital here where he breathed his last.
He was suffering from a urinary infection and other age-related ailments.
The auteur’s manager confirmed the news. He said Balachander will be cremated Thursday.
“Balachander sir passed away. He was recovering well over the last few days but his condition deteriorated this (Tuesday) morning,” he told IANS.
“Balachander sir’s body will be kept for public homage for the next two days. The last rites will be performed Thursday,” he said.
Balachander is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. His eldest son Kailasam passed away recently.
Balachander had over 150 films to his credit, including “Aval Ora Thodar Kathai”, “Avargal”, “Varumayin Niram Sigappu” and “47 Natkal”.
Balachander was a recipient of the Dada Saheb Phalke Award. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1987.
Dubbed “Iyakunar Sigaram” – or director’s peak – Balachander was born in a Tamil Brahmin family in 1930 in Thanjavur district.
All his dramas and movies revolved around middle class characters and involved a lot of inter-personal relationships.
He made his debut in the Tamil movie world with “Neerkumizhi”, starring comedian Nagesh. It was followed by movies like “Major Chandrakanth” and “Bama Vijayam”. Soon Balachander started making movies based on social and family issues, some of which were revolutionary in those times. His “Arangetram” movie revolved around a Brahmin girl’s poverty and her getting into prostitution to sustain her family. It was in this movie that Kamal Haasan played his first adult role. Another notable film by Balachander was “Abborva Ragangal”. It was in this movie that Balachander introduced Rajnikanth. Balachandar’s Hindi movie “Ek Duuje Ke Liye” was where Kamal Haasan and Rathi Agnihotri made their Bollywood debut. (IANS)