K. Balaji

Krishnamachari Balaji (24 June 19342 May 2009) was an Indian film producer and actor. He was a prominent actor in the 1960s and 1970s, playing lead, supporting and antagonist roles. He appeared in many films featuring Sivaji Ganesan.

Early life Balaji was born to Krishnamachari and Janaki Devi in Madras, Madras Presidency. His paternal side is of Tamil heritage and maternal side from Kerala. He was the grandson of colonial era advocate T. Rangachari. His wife Anandavalli is from Malayali Nair family. He started acting at an early age, when he performed in school plays and amateur theatre shows.

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.

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 1996. The couple had three children, Suresh Balaje, Sujatha and Suchitra Mohanlal. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is his son-in-law. He was also the grandfather of Pranav Mohanlal and Suraj Suresh. The comedian Y. G. Mahendran is his nephew through his cousin 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.

Partial filmography

As producer Year Film DirectorNotes1966 Annavin Aasai Dada Mirasi Remake of Hindi film Chand Aur Suraj1967 Thangai A. C. Tirulokchandar 1968 En Thambi A. C. Tirulokchandar Remake of Telugu film Aastiparulu1969 Thirudan A. C. Tirulokchandar Remake of Telugu film Adrushtavanthalu1970 Engirundho Vandhaal A. C. Tirulokchandar Remake of Telugu film Punarjanma1972 Raja C. V. Rajendran Remake of Hindi film Johny Mera Naam1972 Needhi C. V. Rajendran Remake of Hindi film Dushman1974 En Magan C. V. Rajendran Remake of Hindi film Be-Imaan1976 Unakkaga Naan C. V. Rajendran Remake of Hindi film Namak Haraam1977 Dheepam K. Vijayan Remake of Malayalam film Theekkanal1978 Thyagam K. Vijayan Remake of Hindi film Amanush1978 Nallathoru Kudumbam K. Vijayan Remake of Telugu film Alumagalu1979 Amar Deep R. Krishnamoorthy, K. Vijayan Remake of Tamil film Dheepam1980 Sujatha K. Vijayan Remake of Malayalam movie Shalini Ente Kootukari1980 Billa R. Krishnamoorthy Remake of Hindi film Don1981 Thee R. Krishnamoorthy Remake of Hindi film Deewaar1981Savaal R. Krishnamoorthy Remake of Hindi film Haath Ki Safai 1982 Vazhvey Maayam R. Krishnamoorthy Remake of Telugu film Premabhishekham1982 Theerpu R. Krishnamoorthy Remake of Malayalam film Ithihasam1983 Sattam K. Vijayan Remake of Hindi film Dostana1983 Neethibathi R. Krishnamoorthy Remake of Telugu film Justice Chowdary1984 Vidhi K. Vijayan Remake of Telugu film Nyayam Kavali1984Niraparaadhi K. VijayanRemake of Hindi film Be Abroo1985 Bandham K. Vijayan Remake of Malayalam film Chakkarayumma1985 Kaaval K. Vijayan Remake of Hindi film Ardh Satya1985Mangamma Sapatham K. VijayanRemake of Hindi film Kasam Paida Karne Wali Ki1986 Marumagal Karthick Raghunath Remake of Hindi film Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye1986 Viduthalai K. Vijayan Remake of Hindi film Qurbani1987 Kudumbam Oru Koyil A. C. Tirulokchandar Remake of Hindi film Ghar Dwaar 1987 Vairakkiyam K. Vijayan Remake of Telugu film Anasuyamma Gari Alludu 1989 En Rathathin Rathame K. Vijayan, Sundar K. Vijayan Remake of Hindi film Mr. India 1989 Dravidan R. Krishnamoorthy Remake of Malayalam filmAryan 1989 Kuttravali Raja Remake of Hindi film Kaal Chakra

As actor