K. Balaji
Krishnamoorthy Balaji (5 August 1934 – 2 May 2009) was an Indian film producer and actor best known for his Tamil films including Billa (1980) and Vazhvey Maayam (1982) .
K. Balaji | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Krishnamoorthy Balaji 5 August 1934 Trivandrum, Travancore, British India |
| Died | 2 May 2009 (aged 74)[1] |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Villan Balaji |
| Education | BA BL |
| Occupation | Film actor, producer |
| Years active | 1951–2010 |
| Known for | Billa (1980) – Producer |
| Spouse(s) | Anandavalli (died in 1995) |
| Children | Suresh Balaje Sujatha Suchitra Mohanlal |
| Parent(s) | Krishnamoorthy Janaki |
| Relatives |
|
Early life
Balaji was born to Krishnamoorthy Achari and Janaki in Trivandrum, Travancore. He was the grandson of colonial era advocate T. Rangachari. He started acting at an early age, when he performed in school plays and amateur theatre shows.[2]
Career
Balaji contacted S. S. Vasan, then owner of Gemini Studios in 1951, looking for work. He was offered a minor role in Auvaiyar, in which he played the Hindu god Muruga.[3]
Balaji soon understood that he was better off playing a villain or the hero's understudy with a negative angle in films that included Padithaal Mattum Podhumaa, Bale Pandiya, En Kadamai and Thillana Mohanambal.
While working as an actor, he was hired as a manager in Narasu Studios in the southwest suburbs. In the 1960s, after coming into contact with top Hindi actors such as Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Tamil stars Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan and actress Savithri, he began to remake Hindi hits in Tamil. His first production was Annavin Aasai, a remake of Chand Aur Sooraj directed by Dulal Guha. The debut production film starred Gemini Ganesan and Savithri in the lead.
He then went on to remake popular Hindi films such as Dushman (1971) and Namak Haraam (1973) both starring Rajesh Khanna, Deewaar (1975), and Qurbani.
He founded Sujatha Cine Arts in 1966. He was also the founder of Sujatha Recording Studio, where sound recordings for most of the big-budget movies of the 1980s and '90s were done.
In 1979 began to produce films in Hindi, including the successful Amardeep.
Family
His wife Anandavalli died in 1995. The couple had three children, Suresh Balaje, Sujatha and Suchitra Mohanlal. Malayalam actor Mohanlal Viswanathan is his son-in-law. He was also the grandfather of Pranav Mohanlal and Sooraj Balaji. The comedian Y. G. Mahendran is his nephew through his sister Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy.
Death
Balaji died on 2 May 2009 evening due to multiple organ and kidney failure. He had been hospitalised for over a month.
Filmography
As producer
| Year | Film | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Annavin Aasai | Dada Mirasi | Remake of Hindi film Chand Aur Suraj |
| 1967 | Thangai | A. C. Tirulokchandar | |
| 1968 | En Thambi | A. C. Tirulokchandar | Remake of Telugu film Aastiparulu |
| 1969 | Thirudan | A. C. Tirulokchandar | Remake of Telugu film Adrushtavanthalu |
| 1970 | Engirundho Vandhaal | A. C. Tirulokchandar | Remake of Telugu film Punarjanma |
| 1972 | Raja | C. V. Rajendran | Remake of Hindi film Johny Mera Naam |
| 1972 | Needhi | C. V. Rajendran | Remake of Hindi film Dushman |
| 1974 | En Magan | C. V. Rajendran | Remake of Hindi film Be-Imaan |
| 1976 | Unakkaga Naan | C. V. Rajendran | Remake of Hindi film Namak Haraam |
| 1977 | Dheepam | K. Vijayan | Remake of Malayalam film Theekkanal |
| 1978 | Thyagam | K. Vijayan | Remake of Hindi film Amanush |
| 1978 | Nallathoru Kudumbam | K. Vijayan | Remake of Telugu film Alumagalu |
| 1979 | Amar Deep | R. Krishnamoorthy, K. Vijayan | Remake of Tamil film Dheepam |
| 1980 | Sujatha | k.vijayan | Remake of Malayalam movie Shalini Ente Kootukari |
| 1980 | Billa | R. Krishnamoorthy | Remake of Hindi film Don |
| 1981 | Thee | R. Krishnamoorthy | Remake of Hindi film Deewaar |
| 1981 | Savaal | R. Krishnamoorthy | Remake of Hindi film Haath Ki Safai |
| 1982 | Vazhvey Maayam | R. Krishnamoorthy | Remake of Telugu film Premabhishekham |
| 1982 | Theerpu | R. Krishnamoorthy | Remake of Malayalam film Ithihasam |
| 1983 | Sattam | K. Vijayan | Remake of Hindi film Dostana |
| 1983 | Neethibathi | R. Krishnamoorthy | Remake of Telugu film Justice Chowdary |
| 1984 | Vidhi | K. Vijayan | Remake of Telugu film Nyayam Kavali |
| 1984 | Nirabaradhi | K. Vijayan | Remake of Hindi film Be Abroo |
| 1985 | Bandham | K. Vijayan | |
| 1985 | Kaaval | K. Vijayan | Remake of Hindi filmArdh Satya |
| 1985 | Mangamma Sapatham | K. Vijayan | Remake of hindi film Kasam Paida Karne Wali Ki |
| 1986 | Marumagal | Karthick Raghunath | Remake of Hindi film Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye |
| 1986 | Viduthalai | K. Vijayan | Remake of Hindi film Qurbani |
| 1987 | Kudumbam Oru Koyil | A. C. Tirulokchandar | |
| 1987 | Vairakkiyam | K. Vijayan | Remake of Telugu film Anasuyamma Gari Alludu |
| 1989 | En Rathathin Rathame | K. Vijayan, Sundar K. Vijayan | Remake of Hindi film Mr. India |
| 1989 | Dravidan | R. Krishnamoorthy | Remake of Malayalam filmAryan |
| 1989 | Kuttravali | Raja | Remake of Hindi film Kaal Chakra |
As actor
| Year | Film | Character/Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Madhurkula Manickam | Tamil film | |
| 1958 | Anbu Engey | Ramu | Tamil film |
| 1959 | Uthami Petra Rathinam | Tamil film | |
| 1959 | Sahodhari | Tamil film | |
| 1962 | Bale Pandiya | Ravi | Tamil film |
| 1962 | Padithaal Mattum Podhuma | Raju | Tamil film |
| 1964 | School Master | Murali | Malayalam film |
| 1964 | Atom Bomb | Kochuraghavan Pillai | Malayalam film |
| 1965 | Vaazhkai Padagu | Kannabiram | Tamil film |
| 1967 | Pattanathil Bhootham | Tamil film | |
| 1967 | Iruttinte Athmavu | Chandran | Malayalam film |
| 1967 | Adhey Kangal | Doctor | Tamil film |
| 1968 | Lakshmi Kalyanam | Lakshmi's husband | Tamil film |
| 1968 | Ragini | Malayalam film | |
| 1968 | En Thambi | Viswam | Tamil film |
| 1969 | Shanti Nilayam | Tamil film | |
| 1972 | Vasantha Maligai | Tamil film | |
| 1975 | Aayirathil Oruthi | Gopi | Tamil film |
| 1975 | Swamy Ayyappan | Malayalam film | |
| 1976 | Vazhvu En Pakkam | Moorthy | Tamil film |
| 1979 | Surakshaa | Doctor Shiva | Hindi film |
| 1979 | Amar Deep | Guest Appearance | Hindi film |
| 1980 | Billa | Tamil film | |
| 1980 | Jhonny | Police Officer | Tamil film |
| 1981 | Thee | Jagdish | Tamil film |
| 1981 | Savaal | Baba Sheak | Tamil film |
| 1983 | Justice Raja | Commissioner | Malayalam film |
| 1983 | Sattam | Tamil film | |
| 1986 | Viduthalai | Tamil film |
References
- "Actor-producer K Balaji passes away". sify.com. 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/05/15/stories/2009051551370700.htm
- "https://web.archive.org/web/20120924153430/http://movies.ndtv.com/Ndtv-Show-Special-Story.aspx?ID=107&StoryID=ENTEN20090092624&&cp"
- "Veteran Tamil actor-producer K. Balaji is dead". Thaindian News, 2 May 2009. Retrieved on 27 June 2009.
- "K. Balaji Breathes His Last". IndiaGlitz, 2 May 2009. Retrieved on 27 June 2009.
- "Actor-producer K Balaji passes away". Sify Movies, 3 May 2009. Retrieved on 27 June 2009.