Balaji K. Kumar is an Indian film director. His first film as a director in Tamil cinema was Vidiyum Munn (2013), a neo-noir crime thriller. Upon release, it received critical acclaim from both the critics and audience, alike. Then he started his career as story board artist for advertising firms like Ogilvy & Mather, JWT, Saatchi & Saatchi.

Balaji K. Kumar
NationalityIndian American
OccupationFilm Director
Years active2013–present

Career edit

Balaji K. Kumar studied cinematography at UCLA. He directed various advertisements for European and American companies. He directed the English-language film Twelve Twisted Tricks (2003) and the film's trailer premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.[1] The trailer won Best Trailer – No Movie award since the film was not released. His next film was 9 Lives of Mara (2007), which received many awards.[2] He then debuted in Tamil with Vidiyum Munn (2013). The film released to critical acclaim despite being a box office failure. A critic wrote that "Director Balaji undoubtedly is at the top of his game".[3] According to Balaji Kumar, "We have made Vidiyum Munn like a new generation film for a matured audience. The film deals with an universal issue".[4] After working on scripts, he returned after ten years with Kolai (2023), which is a based on a real incident that took place in New York in 1923.[5]

Filmography edit

As director edit

Year Film Language Notes
2007 9 Lives of Mara English [6]
2013 Vidiyum Munn Tamil Inspired by London to Brighton
2023 Kolai Tamil

Other films edit

  • Twelve Twisted Tricks - Golden Trailer Award (2003)

References edit

  1. ^ https://www.oocities.org/etmassey/twelvetwistedtricks.htm
  2. ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (24 August 2013). "Audio Beat: Vidiyum Munn - New album, new voice". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 August 2013.
  3. ^ "Vidiyum Munn is brilliant". Rediff.com. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  4. ^ "PVR picks up 'Vidiyum Munn'". Sify. Archived from the original on 30 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Director Balaji Kumar: Kolai is inspired by a real-life incident". The New Indian Express.
  6. ^ "FILM REVIEW - 9 Lives of Mara". films-list.com.