Kailasam Balachander was a renowned Indian film producer, director and screenwriter. He directed films predominantly in Tamil, in addition to some films in the Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi languages. Known for his distinct filmmaking style, the films he scripts and directs analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. Through his works, he contributed significantly to the development of the Tamil film industry in South India, and introduced hundreds of actors and actresses into cinema, including Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Prakash Raj and Vivek.
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Biography from TMDB.
- July 9, 1930
- December 23, 2014 (aged 84)
- Nannilam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
- Writer and director, also producer and actor
- 16 on MovieCove · 101 credits in all
What are K. Balachander's films like?
Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.
Genres
Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.
Themes
What they feel like to watch
Ironic 0 · Wry 1 · Earnest 15
A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 6 · Dark 8
Grounded 11 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 0
Gentle 1 · Charged 10 · Intense 5
Steady 7 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 1
Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 1
Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 0
Casual 7 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 1
Easy watch 0 · Affecting 7 · Heavy 9
Resolved 14 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0
Roles they play
- Mentoras Marghadarsi in Uttama Villain (2015)
Moods and endings
- Happy3
- Bittersweet8
- Tragic2
- Ambiguous3
AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.
Where can I watch K. Balachander's films?
As of October 24, 2026, 14 of their 16 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.
- ZEE5
Subscription and free streaming for K. Balachander's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.
Filmography
101 credits, 16 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.
Uttama Villain(2015)
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films
Rettaisuzhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Maro Charitra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Kuselan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
Naan Avanillai(2007)
Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films
Poi(2006)
Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Idhaya Thirudan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
Paarthale Paravasam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Thulli Thirintha Kaalam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
Sreekrishnapurathu Nakshathrathilakkam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
Vidukathai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
Kalki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
Duet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)
Jathi Malli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
Server Somanna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
Mavanige Thakka Aliya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
Roja(1992)
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
Vaaname Ellai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
Azhagan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
Oru Veedu Iru Vaasal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal(1989)
Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi(1988)
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films
Rudraveena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)
Manathil Uruthi Vendum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
Velaikkaaran(1987)
Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films
Punnagai Mannan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)
Sundara Swapnagalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)
Sindhu Bhairavi(1985)
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Sri Raghavendrar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)
Kalyana Agathigal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)
Mugila Mallige (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)
Pudhiavan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)
Ek Nai Paheli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)
Achamillai Achamillai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)
Poovilangu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)
Eradu Rekhegalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)
Karune Illada Kanoonu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Benkiyalli Aralidha Hoovu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Poikkal Kudhirai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Kokilamma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Zara Si Zindagi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Agni Sakshi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Karthavyam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Jeevan Dhaara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Thanneer... Thanneer... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)
Netrikan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)
Enga Ooru Kannagi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)
47 Natkal(1981)
Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Ek Duuje Ke Liye(1981)
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Thillu Mullu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)
Varumayin Niram Sivappu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)
Kazhukan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Nool Veli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Idi Katha Kaadu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Ninaithale Inikkum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Thappu Thalangal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)
Maro Charitra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)
Nizhal Nijamagirathu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)
Aaina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Avargal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Pattina Pravesam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Moondru Mudichu(1976)
Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films
Anthuleni Katha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
Manmadha Leelai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
Apoorva Raagangal(1975)
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)
Naan Avanillai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)
Sollathaan Ninaikkiren (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
Do Phool (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
Arangetram(1973)
Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films
Velli Vizha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Haar Jeet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Aaradimanninte Janmi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Kanna Nalama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Punnagai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Main Sunder Hoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Nootrukku Nooru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Nangu Suvargal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Lakhon Mein Ek (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Kaviya Thalaivi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
Mastana(1970)
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)Navagraham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
Ethiroli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
Bheekara Nimishangal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
Patham Pasali (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
Iru Kodugal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
Poova Thalaiya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
Teen Bahuraniyan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)
Thamarai Nenjam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)
Ethir Neechal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)
Sukha Dukhalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)
Bama Vijayam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
Anubavi Raja Anubavi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
Major Chandrakanth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
Naanal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)
Neela Vanam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)
Oonche Log(1965)
Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)Neerkumizhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)
Poojaikku Vantha Malar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)
Server Sundaram(1964)
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all filmsDheiva Thaai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)
Career shape
A full career of 101 titles from 1964 to 2015.
Biggest box office
Uttama Villain (2015)
Highest rated
Roja (1992)
Most popular right now
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988)
Film career
- 2015Screen debut· Uttama Villain
Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.
How do K. Balachander's films land?
Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 85th percentile, the median of all 16; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 81st percentile for acclaim.
- 75th and up11
- 50th to 74th3
- 25th to 49th1
- Below 25th1
Shape of the crowd
7 of their 16 titles are Mixed.
- Universally Loved3
- Crowd Pleaser6
- Mixed7
Reviewers score the dialogue 66/100 and the plot and story 68/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a writer.
Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.
Who does K. Balachander work with?
People who share at least 2 of K. Balachander's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kamal Haasan shares the most, 6.
Actors
- Kamal HaasanShared titles: Uttama Villain (2015), Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988), Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Moondru Mudichu (1976), Apoorva Raagangal (1975), Arangetram (1973)See all 6 shared titles with Kamal Haasan
- NassarShared titles: Uttama Villain (2015), Roja (1992), Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988), Velaikkaaran (1987)See all 4 shared titles with Nassar
- JanakarajShared titles: Roja (1992), Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989), Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988), Sindhu Bhairavi (1985)See all 4 shared titles with Janakaraj
- K.R. VijayaShared titles: Velaikkaaran (1987), Oonche Log (1965), Server Sundaram (1964)See all 3 shared titles with K.R. Vijaya
Composers, cinematographers and editors
- Lokanathan B.S.Shared titles: 47 Natkal (1981), Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Moondru Mudichu (1976), Apoorva Raagangal (1975), Arangetram (1973)See all 5 shared titles with Lokanathan B.S.
- IlaiyaraajaShared titles: Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989), Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988), Velaikkaaran (1987), Sindhu Bhairavi (1985)See all 4 shared titles with Ilaiyaraaja
- N.R. KittuShared titles: Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Moondru Mudichu (1976), Apoorva Raagangal (1975)See all 3 shared titles with N.R. Kittu
- M.S. ViswanathanShared titles: Moondru Mudichu (1976), Apoorva Raagangal (1975), Server Sundaram (1964)See all 3 shared titles with M.S. Viswanathan
Producers
- Rajam BalachanderShared titles: Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988), Sindhu Bhairavi (1985)See all 2 shared titles with Rajam Balachander