Balu Mahendra

Biography:

Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran, commonly known as Balu Mahendra, was a prolific figure in Indian cinema, celebrated for his contributions as a cinematographer, director, screenwriter, and film editor. Born on May 19, 1939, in Amirthakali village near Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, Mahendra developed a deep passion for photography and literature from a young age. His fascination with filmmaking was ignited during a school trip where he witnessed the shooting of David Lean’s “The Bridge on the River Kwai.”

After completing his schooling at Methodist Central College and St. Michael’s College National School, Mahendra pursued higher education at London University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in science. He briefly worked as a draughtsman in Colombo, where he also edited a Tamil literary magazine called Thyen Aruvi. However, his true calling lay in cinema, prompting him to pursue further studies at the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune in 1966.

At FTII, Mahendra’s talent flourished as he honed his skills in cinematography. Despite initially aspiring to focus on direction and scripting, he excelled in cinematography and graduated with a gold medal in 1969. During his time at FTII, Mahendra was exposed to world cinema, including the works of influential filmmakers like François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard.

Following his graduation, Mahendra embarked on a successful career in Indian cinema, primarily in Tamil and Malayalam industries. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film “Kokila” in 1977, marking the beginning of a prolific filmmaking journey that spanned over three decades. Mahendra’s directorial ventures were marked by his distinct style, characterized by intimate storytelling, evocative visuals, and a keen understanding of human emotions.

Throughout his career, Mahendra garnered widespread acclaim and numerous awards for his contributions to Indian cinema. He was the recipient of six National Film Awards, including two for Best Cinematography, and five Filmfare Awards South, among others. In addition to his directorial pursuits, Mahendra also established a film school in Chennai, offering courses in cinematography, direction, and acting.