This song from K. Balachander’s super hit film EK DUUJE KE LIYE…., which was the remake of K. Balachander’s Telugu super hit MARO CHARITRA suits aptly to describe eminent film maker K. Balachander’ passion for cinema because like the song K.Balachander and Cinema were made for Ek Duuje Ke Liye( Made for each other).
On the sudden demise of the doyen of Indian cinema, K. Balachander, who expired due prolonged illness and age-related ailments in Chennai, Raaga.Com pays its humble homage to the great filmmaker and prays his soul rest in peace in heaven.
Winner of Dadasaheb Phalke Award and renowned as Iyakunar Sigaram" (Peak among directors) in Tamil film industry, K Balachander, shall always be remembered not just for his superlative movies but for his immense contribution for introducing multiple talents that have went on to become legends in Indian cinema. Great talents like Rajinikanth ('Aboorva Ragangal'), Kamal Haasan ('Arangetram'), Sridevi (Moondru Mudichi), ace villain actor Prakash Raj ('Duet'), comedian Vivek ('Manadhil Urudhi Vendum') and character artist Nazar ('Kalyana Agathigal').
Popularly addressed as KB sir, what is interesting is that the man who discovered so many great talents himself was discovered by the legendary actor and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister late M G Ramachandran. In an interview K.B. had revealed that M.G.R. was a great fan of his plays and impressed by one of his plays he gave KB an opportunity as a scriptwriter in his film DEIVATH THAI.
Soon K.B. took the South film industry by storm with the mega success of films like ARANGETRAM, AVAL ORA THODAR KATHAI, APOORVA RAAGANGAL, THANNEER THANNEER, MARO CHARITRA, AVARGAL, VARUMAYIN NIRAM SIGAPPU, 47 NATKAL, UNNAL MUDIYUM THAMBI etc.
What makes K.B. a genius is that he was one of the few film directors, who achieved such stardom that film posters boosted - A film by ‘K. Balachander film’- a rare feat indeed!
Further what is most astonishing is that when Tamil cinema was dominated by two patriarchs - MGR and Shivaji Ganesan, K.B. revolted against the male dominated movies and daringly made women centric films!
Paying his condolence to legendary filmmaker, superstar Rajinikanth, who held KB sir in high esteem, broke down on hearing the tragic news. Mourning his mentor’s demise he lamented, “KB sir was like a God in guise of human being. He was not just my guru. He was my father as well. He too shared the same affection. He never regarded me an actor but treated me like his own son.”
Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan who was launched by KB in the Tamil film ARANGETRAM and later went on to work with the director in over 40 films, including hit Hindi romantic-drama EK DUUJE KE LIYE, could not bid farewell to his mentor. He was stuck up in the post-production work of his Tamil film UTTAMA VILLAIN in Los Angeles. However the movement he received the tragic news, he cancelled all his assignment and has rushed to India.
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