Cinemaazi remembers Balu Mahendra on his birth anniversary
20 May 1939
It was witnessing David Lean shoot The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) when he was in sixth grade, that inspired Balu Mahendra to become a filmmaker. After his graduation from FTII, he got an opportunity to work with Ramu Kariat in Nellu (1971) which won him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography. After building a stellar resume as a cinematographer, he made his directorial debut with the Kannada language Kokila (1977). He made his debut in Tamil cinema with Mullum Malarum (1978). Known for his naturalistic treatment, Mahendra's cinema ushered in wide-ranging changes in Tamil cinema, making him one of the most influential auteuers of his generation. With films like Moondram Pirai (1982) later remade as Sadma (1983), Olangal (1982), Yathra (1985), Veedu (1988), Sandhya Raagam (1989), he enchanted a generation of film-goers. He has often credited Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali (1955) as one of his key influences. He had recently made a comeback with Thalaimuraigal (2013). Cinemaazi remembers him on his birth anniversary.
