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

(1934-08-05)5 August 1934
Trivandrum, Travancore, British India
Died2 May 2009(2009-05-02) (aged 74)[1]
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
NationalityIndian
Other namesVillan Balaji
EducationBA BL
OccupationFilm actor, producer
Years active1951–2010
Known forBilla (1980) – Producer
Spouse(s)Anandavalli (died in 1995)
ChildrenSuresh 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
YearFilmDirectorNotes
1966Annavin AasaiDada MirasiRemake of Hindi film Chand Aur Suraj
1967ThangaiA. C. Tirulokchandar
1968En ThambiA. C. TirulokchandarRemake of Telugu film Aastiparulu
1969ThirudanA. C. TirulokchandarRemake of Telugu film Adrushtavanthalu
1970Engirundho VandhaalA. C. TirulokchandarRemake of Telugu film Punarjanma
1972RajaC. V. RajendranRemake of Hindi film Johny Mera Naam
1972NeedhiC. V. RajendranRemake of Hindi film Dushman
1974En MaganC. V. RajendranRemake of Hindi film Be-Imaan
1976Unakkaga NaanC. V. RajendranRemake of Hindi film Namak Haraam
1977DheepamK. VijayanRemake of Malayalam film Theekkanal
1978ThyagamK. VijayanRemake of Hindi film Amanush
1978Nallathoru KudumbamK. VijayanRemake of Telugu film Alumagalu
1979Amar DeepR. Krishnamoorthy, K. VijayanRemake of Tamil film Dheepam
1980Sujathak.vijayanRemake of Malayalam movie Shalini Ente Kootukari
1980BillaR. KrishnamoorthyRemake of Hindi film Don
1981TheeR. KrishnamoorthyRemake of Hindi film Deewaar
1981SavaalR. KrishnamoorthyRemake of Hindi film Haath Ki Safai
1982Vazhvey MaayamR. KrishnamoorthyRemake of Telugu film Premabhishekham
1982TheerpuR. KrishnamoorthyRemake of Malayalam film Ithihasam
1983SattamK. VijayanRemake of Hindi film Dostana
1983NeethibathiR. KrishnamoorthyRemake of Telugu film Justice Chowdary
1984VidhiK. VijayanRemake of Telugu film Nyayam Kavali
1984NirabaradhiK. VijayanRemake of Hindi film Be Abroo
1985BandhamK. Vijayan
1985KaavalK. VijayanRemake of Hindi filmArdh Satya
1985Mangamma SapathamK. VijayanRemake of hindi film Kasam Paida Karne Wali Ki
1986MarumagalKarthick RaghunathRemake of Hindi film Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye
1986ViduthalaiK. VijayanRemake of Hindi film Qurbani
1987Kudumbam Oru KoyilA. C. Tirulokchandar
1987VairakkiyamK. VijayanRemake of Telugu film Anasuyamma Gari Alludu
1989En Rathathin RathameK. Vijayan, Sundar K. VijayanRemake of Hindi film Mr. India
1989DravidanR. KrishnamoorthyRemake of Malayalam filmAryan
1989KuttravaliRajaRemake of Hindi film Kaal Chakra

As actor
YearFilmCharacter/RoleNotes
1956Madhurkula ManickamTamil film
1958Anbu EngeyRamuTamil film
1959Uthami Petra RathinamTamil film
1959SahodhariTamil film
1962Bale PandiyaRaviTamil film
1962Padithaal Mattum PodhumaRajuTamil film
1964School Master MuraliMalayalam film
1964Atom Bomb Kochuraghavan PillaiMalayalam film
1965Vaazhkai PadaguKannabiramTamil film
1967Pattanathil BhoothamTamil film
1967Iruttinte AthmavuChandranMalayalam film
1967Adhey KangalDoctorTamil film
1968Lakshmi KalyanamLakshmi's husbandTamil film
1968RaginiMalayalam film
1968En ThambiViswamTamil film
1969Shanti NilayamTamil film
1972Vasantha MaligaiTamil film
1975Aayirathil OruthiGopiTamil film
1975Swamy AyyappanMalayalam film
1976Vazhvu En PakkamMoorthyTamil film
1979SurakshaaDoctor ShivaHindi film
1979Amar DeepGuest AppearanceHindi film
1980BillaTamil film
1980JhonnyPolice OfficerTamil film
1981TheeJagdishTamil film
1981SavaalBaba SheakTamil film
1983Justice RajaCommissionerMalayalam film
1983SattamTamil film
1986ViduthalaiTamil film

References
  1. "Actor-producer K Balaji passes away". sify.com. 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/05/15/stories/2009051551370700.htm
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