
Person
Balu Mahendra
Directing · 1939–2014 · Batticaloa, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
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.
Known for

Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
Director

Nrithasala
Director of Photography

Veedu
Director
Thalaimuraigal
Grandfather
Vasanthame Varuga
Screenplay

Sathi Leelavathi
Editor

Manavoori Pandavulu
Director of Photography
Urangatha Ninaivugal
Director of Photography

Sasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu
Director of Photography
Poonthenaruvi Chuvannu
Director
Filmography
- 2013ThalaimuraigalGrandfather
- 2005Rama Shama BhamaOriginal Story
- 2005Adhu Oru Kana KaalamDirector
- 2003Julie GanapathiDirector
- 2001En Iniya Pon NilavaeDirector
- 2000Kathai NeramDirector
- 1997Raman AbdullahDirector
- 1996Aur Ek Prem KahaniEditor
- 1995Sathi LeelavathiEditor
- 1993MarupadiyumDirector
- 1992ChakravyuhamStory
- 1992Vanna Vanna PookkalDirector
- 1991Lambadolla RamadasuDirector of Photography
- 1991Poonthenaruvi ChuvannuDirector
- 1989Sandhya RaagamEditor
- 1988VeeduDirector
- 1987Rettai Vaal KuruviDirector
- 1986NireekshanaDirector
- 1985YathraDirector
- 1985Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthal...Director
- 1984Neengal KettavaiDirector
- 1983OomakkuyilDirector
- 1983SadmaDirector
- 1983Urangatha NinaivugalDirector of Photography
- 1983Vasanthame VarugaScreenplay
- 1983Pallavi Anu PallaviDirector of Photography
- 1982Echchil IravugalDirector of Photography
- 1982Moondram PiraiDirector
- 1982OlangalDirector
- 1980MoodupaniDirector
- 1980Kaliyuga RavanasuruduDirector of Photography
- 1980SankarabharanamDirector of Photography
- 1979Azhiyatha KolangalDirector
- 1979UlkadalDirector of Photography
- 1979Sommokadidhi SokokadidhiDirector of Photography
- 1978Manavoori PandavuluDirector of Photography
- 1978Mullum MalarumDirector of Photography
- 1978PanthulammaDirector of Photography
- 1977Tharam MarindiDirector of Photography
- 1977KokilaDirector
- 1976America AmmayiDirector of Photography
- 1976PonniDirector of Photography
- 1976MissiDirector of Photography
- 1976Chennaaya Valarthiya KuttyDirector of Photography
- 1975CheenavalaDirector of Photography
- 1975MakkalDirector of Photography
- 1975RaagamDirector of Photography
- 1975PrayanamDirector of Photography
- 1975AnuragaluDirector of Photography
- 1975Tourist BungalowDirector of Photography
- 1975Chuvanna SandhyakalStory
- 1974RajahamsamDirector of Photography
- 1974ChattakkariDirector of Photography
- 1974Jeevikkan Marannupoya SthreeDirector of Photography
- 1974NelluDirector of Photography
- 1973AbhimanavanthuluDirector of Photography
- 1973Sasthram Jayichu Manushyan ThottuDirector of Photography
- 1973KaliyugamDirector of Photography
- 1973ChukkuDirector of Photography
- 1972MaayaDirector of Photography
- 1972PanimudakkuDirector of Photography
- 1972NrithasalaDirector of Photography
- 1971LankadahanamAssistant Camera
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