Krishnamachari Balaji (24 June 1934 – 2 May 2009) was an Indian film producer and actor. He was a prominent actor in the 1960s and 70s, playing lead, supporting and antagonist roles. He appeared in many Sivaji Ganesan films.[2]

K. Balaji
Born
Krishnamachari Balaje

(1934-06-24)24 June 1934
Died2 May 2009(2009-05-02) (aged 74)[1]
NationalityIndian
Other namesVillain Balaji
Education
Occupations
  • Film producer
  • actor
Years active1951–2009
Known forBilla (1980)
Spouse
Anandavalli
(died 1996)
ChildrenSuresh Balaje
Sujatha
Suchitra Mohanlal
Parent(s)Krishnamachari
Janaki Devi
Relatives

Early life edit

Balaji was born in Tamil brahmin family to Krishnamachari and Janaki Devi in Madras, Madras Presidency. 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.[3]

Career edit

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.[4]

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 edit

His wife Anandavalli died in 1996. 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 Suraj Suresh. The comedian Y. G. Mahendran is his nephew through his cousin sister Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy.

Death edit

Balaji died on 2 May 2009 evening due to multiple organ and kidney failure. He had been hospitalised for over a month.

Partial filmography edit

As producer edit

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 Niraparaadhi 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 edit

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
1960 Engal Selvi Tamil film
1960 Mahalakshmi Tamil film
1960 Vidivelli Tamil film
1960 Pudhiya Pathai Tamil film
1960 Parthiban Kanavu Tamil film
1960 Paavai Vilakku Tamil film
1961 Naaga Nandhini Tamil film
1961 Kappalottiya Thamizhan Tamil film
1961 Mamiyarum Oru Veetu Marumagale Tamil film
1961 Thooya Ullam Tamil film
1962 Policekaran Magal Tamil film
1962 Bale Pandiya Ravi Tamil film
1962 Padithaal Mattum Podhuma Raju Tamil film
1962 Ellorum Vazhavendum Tamil film
1962 Sumaithaangi Tamil film
1963 Aasai Alaigal Tamil film
1963 Ezhai Pangalan Tamil film
1963 Iruvar Ullam Tamil film
1964 En Kadamai Tamil film
1964 Karuppu Panam Tamil film
1964 Aandavan Kattalai Tamil film
1964 Rishyasringar Tamil film
1964 School Master Murali Malayalam film
1964 Atom Bomb Kochuraghavan Pillai Malayalam film
1965 Anbu Karangal Tamil film
1965 Veera Abhimanyu Tamil film
1965 Vaazhkai Padagu Kannabiram Tamil film
1965 Kaattu Rani Tamil film
1966 Annavin Aasai Tamil film
1967 Pattanathil Bhootham Tamil film
1967 Maadi Veettu Mappilai Tamil film
1967 Thangai 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
1968 Thillana Mohanambal Tamil film
1969 Shanti Nilayam Tamil film
1969 Thirudan Tamil film
1969 Gurudhakshaneiy Tamil film
1970 Enga Mama Tamil film
1970 Engirundho Vandhaal Tamil film
1970 Ethirkalam Tamil film
1970 Sorgam Tamil film
1971 Veguli Penn Tamil film
1972 Vasantha Maligai Tamil film
1972 Kannamma Tamil film
1972 Thaikku Oru Pillai Tamil film
1972 Raja Tamil film
1972 Neethi Tamil film
1974 En Magan Tamil film
1975 Aayirathil Oruthi Gopi Tamil film
1975 Swamy Ayyappan Malayalam film
1976 Vazhvu En Pakkam Moorthy Tamil film
1978 Thyagam 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 edit

  1. ^ "Actor-producer K Balaji passes away". Sify. 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  2. ^ ராம்ஜி, வி. (5 August 2022). "ரசனைக்கார தயாரிப்பாளர் கே.பாலாஜி!". Kamadenu (in Tamil). Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Tamil movie mogul K. Balaji is no more". Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  4. ^ "The Hindu : Friday Review Chennai / Tribute : A void on the film firmament". www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2022.

External links edit