K.Balachander
Film industry is all about making a profit and most of the creators choose to follow the laid path, to be safe. Only the best take the road not taken and set trends. K.Balachander, in that way, was one of the trendsetters in the film industry. Given that I am in my early thirties, I wasn't fortunate enough to see most of his work during the times they were made. I must say I became a fan of his work from his TV serials, especially Kai alavu manasu and Sahana, then started going back to catch up on his creations.
At the start of his career, KB had a great understanding with Nagesh and it could be seen in all their works together (Server Sundaram, Neerkumizhi, Edhir Neechal, Navagragam). The acting audition scene from Server Sundaram and the scene where Nagesh getting caught like thief in Edhir Neechal still brings out the same reaction when I watch it, like the first time. All these movies had an equal mix of comedy and emotions and were highly beneficial to both their careers. He had a similar understanding with Kamal and Rajini as well but once they became larger than life actors, they could no longer fit into the everyday heroes of KB's movies. That is one of the reason why mostly his heroes were always the second rung of actors like Gemini Ganesan, Jaisankar, Sivakumar, Rajesh, Raghuman or those who do not carry any image along with them or he always had stories with women playing pivotal or lead roles. Aval Oru Thodarkathai, Manadhil Urudhi Vendum, Kalki, Kalayana Agathigal, Agni Saatchi to quote a few.
KB's films always had that unmistakable touch, leads with character flaws (be it Sivakumar in Sindhu Bhairavi, or Kamal in Punnagai mannan), emotions shown up close, symbolisms in place of dialogues, strong willed female roles, sadistic villains who schemed up things, humor that did not insult anyone and music/lyrics that went along with the content of the movie. I always amazed at his ability to do full justice to films like Thillu Mullu, Poi Kaal Kuthirai (comedy riots) and switch over to do his serious movies like Thaneer Thaneer, Sindhu Bhairavi, Unnal Mudiyum Thambi.
He has not only left us with a whole bunch of movies but also a numerous artists who passed out of his school of film making. Be it actors like Kamal, Rajini, Vivek or directors like Vasanth, Hari, Charan, Suresh Krishna, they all went out and made their own mark in the industry. You could very well see KB's impact in Vasanth's Keladi Kanmani.
Like any creator, he too struggled to keep up with the changing times and forayed into TV serials. He did make his mark in that too. After his successful stint in TV serials, he did make some attempts in vain (Paarthale Paravasam, Poi) to direct movies again but those did flop as he failed to jude the current day audience' pulse. That does not make him any less of a legend in any way.
Sir, you are a true legend and your death is a great loss to Indian film industry. Our prayers are with your family and loved ones at this time of grieving.
My picks for repeat viewing anytime: Punnagai Mannan, Thillu Mullu, Manadhil Urudhi Vendum, Edhir Neechal, Server Sundaram, Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
