K. Balachander

K. Balachander (born July 9, 1930) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style.The entire south Indian film Industry knows him as as a master of unconventional themes and hard hitting subject matters of contemporary time. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or writer. In his career, he has mainly contributed to the Tamil film industry and is credited with having introduced hundreds of actors and technicians in Tamil Cinema including Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Prakash Raj and Vivek. He also owns a production house named Kavithalaya Productions. Besides Tamil cinema, he has directed films in Telugu, Hindi and Kannada languages and occasionally worked as an actor and in television as well.

Balachander has won numerous National Film Awards and 12 Filmfare Awards South. He was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award in 1987, and is also a recipient of the ANR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh. In 2010, Balachander was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in cinema for his contribution to arts. He also holds an Honorary doctorate. He is popularly referred to as Iyakkunar Sikaram (English: (lit.) The top director) in Kollywood.