Adyar, Chennai
Balaji was born on 25 May 1987 in Tiruchirappalli. He pursued his schooling in Campion Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirappalli, and later joined the Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering in Chennai for his higher studies, albeit he had decided in 10th class already that he wanted to become a director. He recalls that his parents bought him a handycam in his third semester, and he made his first short film called "Velicham", which was also sent to film festivals and won. Although he had initially planned to complete his education before following his passion and pursuing a career in filmmaking, he did not want to "wait for too long" after making "Velicham". After convincing his parents, he discontinued his engineering course two years later and went on to join the L. V. Prasad Film and TV Academy in Vadapalani, Chennai to learn editing and sound design. He also studied acting at Alchemy Institute, Adyar, Chennai.