Krish

Vijay Balakrishnan, better known as Krish, is an Indian playback singer who has worked predominantly in Tamil films apart from some Telugu dubbed and Kannada films. He was introduced to the Tamil cinema as a playback singer by Harris Jayaraj in Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu for the song "Manjal Veyyil". Following, he delivered hits in films such as Unnale Unnale, Pachaikili Muthucharam, Dhaam Dhoom, Bheema, Vaaranam Aayiram, Ayan, Kalloori, Vettaikaran, Sakkarakatti up to Dev. He has sung over 3,000 songs across all languages. Krish has also appeared in multiple films as an actor.

Early life & Career Krish was born in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India, but shifted to New York City after his father, a banker, had moved abroad on a posting. He thus shifted schools and spent 12 years in the United States. During his time in New York City, Krish worked as an Camera assistant on the sets of The Cosby Show and National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2004), helping the teams conduct pre-production works. He also completed an acting course at the New York Film Academy and performed at the Broadway in a Walt Disney production of Aladdin, before arriving in Chennai, hoping to get a breakthrough in the industry as an actor.

During the initial months of his return to Chennai, Krish participated in stage shows and cultural events as a singer and was recruited by composer Ganesh Kumar to sing a western song for an album. Ganesh passed over Krish's details to music composer Harris Jayaraj. Krish then made his playback singing debut in Tamil films by rendering the song "Manjal Veiyil" from Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2006), composed by Harris Jayaraj, alongside Hariharan. He subsequently collaborated with the composer on several other critically acclaimed songs including "June Ponal July Kaatru" from Unnale Unnale (2007), "Sakiyae" from Dhaam Dhoom, "Oru Mugamo" from Bheema and "Adiye Kolluthey" from Vaaranam Aayiram (2008).

Film-makers from the Tamil film industry had offered Krish roles as an actor in their ventures, but he was insistent that he would only portray the lead role. He turned down the opportunity from K. V. Anand to play the well-received supporting role portrayed by Ajmal in Ko (2011), though he later played a small role as himself in a song from the film. Producer Ibrahim Rowther spotted Krish in the song "Aga Naga" and offered him the chance of portraying the lead role in his production Puriyadha Aanandam Puthithaga Arambam. The film had a low key opening, and garnered negative reviews. In June 2015, he also released an independent six-track music album, with compositions by Vijay Ebenezer and videos featuring Nikesha Patel. He had worked alongside Ebenezer for two years for the project, with the song "Maaya" from the album being heavily promoted. The pair's daughter, Shiviya, was born in December 2012.

Discography As singer Year Album Composer Songs Notes 2004 Kadhal Joshua Sridhar Povum Pudikudhu 2006 Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu Harris Jayaraj Manjal VeyyilAlso singer for Telugu dubbed version 2007 En Uyirinum Melana Deva Mylapooru Rani Kalloori Joshua Sridhar June July Madham Pachaikili Muthucharam Harris Jayaraj Unakkul Naane Karu Karu Unnale Unnale June Ponal Siru Siru Uravagal Ilamai Ullasam Unnale Unnale Also singer for Telugu dubbed version 2008 Buddhivantha (Kannada) Vijay Antony "Nee Nanage Beku" Dhaam Dhoom Harris Jayaraj Sakiyae Sakkarakatti A. R. Rahman Elay Vaaranam Aayiram Harris Jayaraj Adiyae Kolluthey Also singer for Telugu dubbed version Thenavattu Srikanth Deva Pattam Poochi Guru En Aalu Vaanam Vanthu Aayutham Seivom Innum Oru Kulir 100° Bobo Shashi Un Uyir Nanban Bheema Harris Jayaraj Oru Mugamo 2009 Vettaikaaran Vijay Antony Oru Chinna ThamaraiEdison Awards for Best Male Playback SingerNominated-Filmfare Best Male Playback Singer AwardNominated-Vijay Award for Best Male Playback Singer Muthirai Yuvan Shankar Raja Night is Still Young Love Guru (Kannada) Joshua Sridhar "Ondondu Storigu" Achchamundu! Achchamundu! Karthik Raja Kanavugal Kaattril Odipolama D. Imman Aruvi Pola Ayan Harris Jayaraj Oh Super Nova (Hey Raja)Also singer for Telugu dubbed version Newtonin Moondram Vidhi Vinay Kadhal Thandora Jeeva (Kannada) Gurukiran "Selade Heegeke" 2010 Mundhinam Paartheney Thaman Pesum Poove Goa Yuvan Shankar Raja "Goa" Naayaka (Kannada) Praveen Duth "Bhoomi" 2011 Aakasame Haddu (Telugu) Anand Suno Suno Mankatha Yuvan Shankar Raja Vada Binlada Kadhal 2 Kalyanam Natpin Kathaigal Aanmai Thavarael Mariya Manohar Kadhal Adaimalzhai Kaalam, Kadhal Adaimalzhai Kaalam (Remix) Kandaen Vijay Ebenezer Enge En Idhayam, Oru Paarvai, Aa Haa Pesu Yuvan Shankar Raja Unthan Varthaiyil Ko Harris Jayaraj Gala Gala Aadu Puli Sundar C. Babu Boyse Google.com 2012 Moondru Per Moondru Kaadhal Yuvan Shankar RajaPadapadakkudhu Maname Thuppakki Harris Jayaraj Antarctica Also singer for Telugu dubbed version Maattrraan Rettai Kadhire Also singer for Telugu dubbed version Yuvan Joshua Sridhar Kanpartha Naeram Meenkothi Dheena Chumma Chumma Pathu Etho Seithai Ennai Ganesh B. Kumar Kadhil Mattum Inbamaa Kalakalappu Vijay Ebenezer Angelina Nanban Harris Jayaraj En Frienda Pola Yaru MachanAlso singer for Telugu dubbed version Vettai Yuvan Shankar Raja Dham Dham2013 Endrendrum Punnagai Harris JayarajYealae Yealae Dosthu Da Co-singers: Naresh Iyer, Krishna Iyer Biriyani Yuvan Shankar Raja"Bay Of Bengal" "Bay Of Bengal (New Jack Swing Mix)" Telugu dubbed version only 2019 Dev Harris JayarajAnangae Sinungalama Also singer for Telugu dubbed version As composer Magarasi (Sun TV) Raame Aandalum Raavane Aandalum (2021)

As lyricist Kandaen (2011)

Filmography Year Film Role Notes 2007 Azhagiya Asura Guna's friend 2011 Ko Himself Cameo appearance 2015 Puriyadha Anandam Puthithaga Arambam Bharathi 2017 Si3 V. Sreenivas Mupparimanam Himself Cameo appearance 2024 Rajakili Albert