Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran, known professionally as Balu Mahendra, bridged the gap between his origins in British Ceylon and his influential career in Indian cinema. Initially drawn to filmmaking after witnessing the production of The Bridge on the River Kwai in his homeland, he evolved into a multifaceted auteur who operated across the Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi film industries.
Education and Early Career
Born in 1939 near Batticaloa, Mahendra completed a bachelor's degree in science at the University of London. Before transitioning to formal film training, he served as an aerial photographer for the Sri Lankan government and edited a Tamil literary magazine. In 1966, he enrolled at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune to study motion picture photography. He graduated in 1969 with a gold medal, having developed a keen interest in the techniques of the French New Wave.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Cinematography and Directorial Debut
Mahendra began his career as a cinematographer in the early 1970s, finding success in Malayalam cinema. His work on the film Nellu, released in 1974, earned him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography, an accolade he secured again for Prayanam and Chuvanna Sandhyakal. In 1977, he moved into directing with the Kannada film Kokila. The project garnered significant critical attention and earned him his first National Film Award for Best Cinematography, establishing his reputation as a visual storyteller.
Auteur Influence in Tamil Cinema
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, Mahendra became a central figure in Tamil cinema, often acting as his own cinematographer, screenwriter, and editor. His second directorial venture, Azhiyadha Kolangal, was a successful coming-of-age story, while his 1982 film Moondram Pirai became a commercial blockbuster, earning him further National Film Awards. His collaboration with composer Ilaiyaraaja, which began with the 1980 film Moodu Pani, defined much of his later aesthetic. In his final years, he focused on education, establishing a film school in Chennai.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 May 1939, Amirthakali, British Ceylon
- Died: 13 February 2014, Chennai, India
- Education: University of London; Film and Television Institute of India
- Directorial debut: Kokila (1977)
- National Film Award for Best Cinematography: 1978 and 1983
- Primary industries: Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi cinema
- Occupations: Director, cinematographer, screenwriter, editor, and actor
- Languages: English and Tamil
Questions readers ask
What was Mahendra's first major film success as a director?
His 1977 directorial debut, the Kannada film Kokila, was both a critical and commercial success, winning him a National Film Award for Best Cinematography.
Did he focus solely on directing?
No, he remained a highly active cinematographer throughout his career and often handled his own screenwriting, casting, and editing for the projects he directed.
Achievements
- National Film Award for Best Cinematography — 1983
- Worked as film director, actor and camera operator
.jpg)
