# Bala (director)

Bala is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and film producer, working in Tamil cinema. Bala has been praised for "revolutionizing Tamil cinema" through his realistic, dark and disturbing depiction of the working class on celluloid screen. His films are known to be tragic and disturbing.

## Film career

Bala was introduced by lyricist Arivumathi to director Balu Mahendra. Initially, he began working as a production assistant under him. Later Bala turned to work with him as assistant director in his movies. Bala made his directorial debut with Sethu in 1999, that gave a break to Vikram, the film's lead actor, who was also struggling in the Tamil film industry for almost a decade without a hit and recognition. More than 60 distributors saw the film and hesitated to screen it because of its tragic ending. The film was released on a low profile without any advertisement but after the first days the film started running to packed houses just through 'word of mouth'. The film was said to have initiated a 'new wave' as it received critical acclaim and became a hit. Its success led to remakes in Kannada (Huchcha), Telugu (Seshu), and Hindi (Tere Naam) languages. He next made Nandhaa in 2001, which gave a breakthrough for Suriya in the industry.
After delivering superhit films each with Vikram and Suriya, Bala reunited with both actors for the second time, and he made the two leading actors come together for the first time in Pithamagan (2003). Bala sketched the lead characters of the film well, and he impressed fans with the twists and turns in the film. Pithamagan mixed with different emotions made the audience enjoy the film, and the director gave an emotional climax to make the film remembered by fans for a long time.
Shaji N. Karun, who headed the jury of the 56th National Film Awards, said, "Bala is unique in many ways. The way he changed Tamil cinema's character was commendable ... There were many who tried for a change. Among the new generation of filmmakers, Bala leads the pack in bringing a change in Tamil cinema's outlook and approach."
In 2009, Naan Kadavul featuring Arya and Pooja Umashankar, won its first National Film Award for Best Direction. In 2011, Arya and Vishal playing the lead roles in the comedy drama Avan Ivan. Produced by Bala himself under the banner of B Studios, Paradesi (2013), takes on the challenge of transforming the boy-next-door looks of Atharvaa into an almost bald, unsophisticated village simpleton of a bygone era. After working with Ilaiyaraaja and Yuvan Shankar Raja in his earlier films, director Bala for the first time teams up with G. V. Prakash Kumar for the music of Paradesi. In 2016, overall the performances in Tharai Thappattai are of superior quality and so is the technical aspects. In 2018, Naachiyaar stars Jyothika in the titular role, while G. V. Prakash Kumar and newcomer Ivana play important supporting characters in this engaging crime thriller. In 2020, the romantic drama Varmaa was disappointed with critics. In 2025, Vanangaan, starring Arun Vijay, Roshni Prakash and Ridha, is a film where the hero takes justice into his hands. The film is yet another addition to movies insensitively portraying sexual crimes against women.

## Dispute

Bala was chosen as the director of Varmaa, the Tamil remake of Arjun Reddy, for which the rights were bought by E4 Entertainment. Principal photography was wrapped up in September 2018. On 7 February 2019, E4 Entertainment issued a press statement stating that they would go for a complete re-shoot as they were not satisfied with the final cut provided by Bala. They added that the film would be relaunched with a completely new cast and crew while retaining lead actor Dhruv. Bala disagreed with these comments, saying it was his own decision to quit the film "in order to safeguard creative freedom" because he was asked to make changes. This became the first such incident in Tamil cinema that the producer of the film refused to release the film due to unsatisfactory final cut despite the completion of the film.

## Personal life

Bala was born and brought up in Madurai. His father worked in a bank in Madurai and his mother was a homemaker. Bala completed his graduation from American College with an aim to dive into the Tamil film industry. Bala married Muthumalar in 2004 and has a daughter. Bala and Muthumalar divorced in 2022, after 18 years of marriage.

## Filmography
### As director

| Year | Film | Notes |
| Year | Film | Notes | 1999 | Sethu | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil |
| 2001 | Nandhaa | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil 22nd Cinema Express Award for Best Director– Tamil |
| 2003 | Pithamagan | ITFA Best Director Award Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil |
| 2009 | Naan Kadavul | National Film Award for Best Direction Vijay Award for Best Director Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil |
| 2011 | Avan Ivan | |
| 2013 | Paradesi | Also producer South Indian Cinematographers Association Award for Best Director Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil Vijay Award for Best Director SIIMA Award for Best Director Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Director Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award Best Director Chennai International Film Festival Special Jury Award Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Film Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Film |
| 2016 | Tharai Thappattai | |
| 2018 | Naachiyaar | Also producer |
| 2020 | Varmaa | |
| 2025 | Vanangaan | Also producer |

### As producer

This is a list of films that he produced but did not direct.
| Year | Film |
| 2006 | Maayavi |
| 2014 | Pisaasu |
| 2015 | Chandi Veeran |
| 2022 | Visithiran |