Noted film maker from the South, K Balachander was selected for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for the year 2010. Balachander has directed films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada languages. He was also film producer and screen writer for some films. Balachander born on 9th July 1930. Balachander introduced Super Stars from the South like Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth and Prakash Raj. He produced films on the banner of Kavithalaya Productions. His most popular films in Telugu are Anthuleni Katha (Apoorva Raagangal in Tamil) and Maro Charithra, Aakali Rajyam, Andamaina Anubhavam, Rudra Veena etc. Balachander introduced Mega Star Chiranjeevi to Tamil audience through Idi Katha Kaadu (47 Natkal in Tamil in 1981). Balachander is popularly known as Iyakkunar Sikaram in Kollywood.
Balachander directed Hindi movie ‘Ek Duje Ke Liye’, a remake of Maro Charithra. All the popular actors and actressess such as Sridevi, Jayaprada, Gemini Ganesan, Sarath Babu, Ramesh Aravind, Vivek, Sri Vidya, Sujatha, Geetha, Saritha, Madhavi, Lakshmi etc worked with Balachander. Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2009 was given to Telugu film maker D. Rama Naidu.
List of Balachander’s famous films:
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
Earlier Awards to Balachander:
1. Kalaimamani Award: 1973
2. Padma Shri: 1987
3. Nargis Dutt Award for National Integration (Two times)
4. ANR National Award: 2011
5. Dada Saheb Phalke Award (2010) : 2011