Maharasan மகராசன் is a 1993 Tamil comedy film directed and co-written by G. N. Rangarajan. The film features Kamal Haasan and Bhanupriya in the lead roles, while Ramesh Aravind and Raghavi play supporting roles. The film released in May 1993.^[1]

Cast[link]

• Kamal Haasan
• Bhanupriya
• V. K. Ramaswamy
• Ramesh Aravind
• Raghavi
• Vaigai Chandrasekhar
• Jaiganesh
• Goundamani
• Senthil
• Vadivukkarasi
• Vadivelu

Production[link]

Kamal Haasan worked again with director G. N. Rangarajan for the fifth time after a twelve year break following three previous collaborations in Kalyanaraman (1979), Ellam Inba Mayyam, Kadal Meengal and Meendum Kokila (all 1981).^[2]

Release[link]

The film performed below average at the box office and became the first of two unsuccessful Kamal Haasan comedy films in 1993.^[3]

Soundtrack[link]

The soundtrack of the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, was well received by the audience.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Maharasan at the Internet Movie Database

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Balu Mahendra
Born	Balanathan Mahendra (1939-06-20) June 20, 1939 (age 73) Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
Residence	Chennai, India
Occupation	Film director, producer, cinematographer
Years active	1976–present
Religion	Hindu
Spouse	Shoba (deceased) Ahileshwari Mahendra
Website
www.balumahendra.com

Balanathan "Balu" Mahendran (born 20 May 1939 in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka) is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, and cinematographer widely regarded as part of the first in a wave of directors and screenwriters from the Chennai film industry who revitalized Tamil cinema. He initially developed an early interest in photography.

A cinematography graduate and a gold medalist from the FTII in Pune. He started his film career as a cameraman for the Malayalam film Nellu in 1974, which earned him the best cinematographer award from the Government of Kerala. He has been chosen as the best cinematographer for as many as ten films. He pioneered innovative camera style for colour in South India.^[1] He has won five National Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards South for Best Director.

Film career[link]

Balu's first film as a director was Kokila, a Kannada film, which earned him a National Film Award. Azhiyadha Kolangal (1979) was his first directorial venture in Tamil. He is considered as one of the few film makers in Tamil who can tell a story visually. He writes the script for his films, handles the camera and edits the film himself, thus retaining a firm control over his creative output. He mentioned in an interview to Anu Hassan on Koffee with Anu that he was inspired to become a director at a very young age when he saw David Lean directing the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai during a school field trip in Sri Lanka.

He worked mainly in Malayalam for directors like K. S. Sethumadhavan and P. N. Menon, before making his first film in Kannada, and then moving on to direct films in Tamil and Malayalam languages. He also worked as cinemotographer for the Indian masterpiece Shankarabharanam, a Telugu fim made by Kalatapaswi K. Viswanath.

He made his first Hindi Film Sadma,which is a remake of his own Tamil film Moondram Pirai with Kamal Hasan and Sridevi. This film is supposed to be one of the finest films made by him.^{[citation needed]} The film superbly captures the emotions involved in the relationship between the two main characters. He made another Hindi film, Aur Ek Prem Kahani (remake of Kokila Kannada film), which was about the love affair between a young man and his maid, told in a realistic and simple manner.

The film director Mani Ratnam approached Mahendra to work on the cinematography of his first Kannada film, Pallavi Anu Pallavi. It has been reported that he almost refused to work with Ratnam whom he perceived as a novice at that time.^{[citation needed]} He has since been quoted as admiring Ratnam for his "infectious enthusiasm". He never hesitated to work with Ratnam when Ratnam approached him.^{[citation needed]} Instead he agreed to do the film enthusiastically when Ratnam met him and narrated the story to him.^{[citation needed]}

Mahendra's strength as a cinematographer has helped him use visuals as an effective vehicle to carry the story forward. He has revolutionized cinematography in Tamil cinema, He has handled social issues like red tapism, corruption and old age in films like Sandhya Raagam. The women in his films come out strongly as can be seen in Veedu.

Of late, his films have not clicked at the box office and his financial status too wasn't going great, which he had mentioned in an interview.^[2]

Personal life[link]

Balu was married to the popular actress Shoba, who committed suicide, aged 17, after shooting for the movie Pasi. In an interview to Anu Hasan in Koffee with Anu, he said that the tragedy of how Shobha was suddenly snatched away from his life by destiny, as quickly as she came, formed the plot for his next movie Moondram Pirai.

Awards and honors[link]

National Film Awards[link]

Won

• 1978 — National Film Award for Best Cinematography for Kokila
• 1983 — National Film Award for Best Cinematography for Moondram Pirai
• 1988 — National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for Veedu
• 1992 — National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for Vanna Vanna Pookkal
• 1990 — National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare for Sandhya Raagam

Filmfare Awards[link]

Nominated

• 1983 — Filmfare Award for Best Story for Sadma

Filmfare Awards South[link]

Won

• 1983 — Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for Moondram Pirai
• 1983 — Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam for Olangal
• 1988 — Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for Veedu

Kerala State Film Awards[link]

• 1974 — Best Cinematography Award (Colour)
• 1975 — Best Cinematography Award for Chuvanna Sandyakal and Prayanam (Black and white)

Filmography[link]

As director[link]

• Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam (2005) – Dhanush, Priyamani
• Julie Ganapathi (2003) – Jayaram, Saritha, Ramyakrishnan
• Raman Abdullah (1997) – Vignesh, Karan, Easwari Rao
• Aur Ek Prem Kahani (1996)- Ramesh Aravind, Revathi, Heera
• Sathi Leelavathi (1995) – Kamal Haasan, Ramesh Arvind, Kovai Sarala, Heera Rajagopal
• Marupadiyum (1993) – Nizhalgal Ravi, Revathy, Rohini, Aravindswamy
• Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1992) – Prashanth, Vinitha
• Sandhya Raagam (1989) – Archana, Chokkalinga Bagavathar
• Veedu (1988) – Archana, Banu Chandar
• Rettai Vaal Kuruvi (1987) – Mohan,Radika,Archana
• Yathra (1985) – Malayalam – Mammooty, Shobhana
• Neengal Kettavai (1984) – Thiyagarajan,Silk Smitha, Banu Chandar, Archana
• Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal – Rajnikanth, Madhavi
• Sadma (1983) – Kamal Hassan, Sridevi, Silk Smitha
• Moondram Pirai (1983) – Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Silk Smitha
• Oomakkuyil (1983) – Malayalam
• Nireekshana(1986) – Telugu film – Banuchander, Archana
• Olangal (1982) – Malayalam film
• Moodupani (1980) – Prathap Pothan, Mohan, Shobha
• Azhiyadha Kolangal (1979) – Shobha
• Kokila (1977) – Kannada film – Kamal Haasan, Shoba, Roja Ramani, Mohan

Balumahendra's Assistants[link]

• Bala
• Vetrimaaran
• Seenu Ramasamy
• Suresh Kanna
• B.Ravikumar
• Lyricist Na. Muthukumar has also assisted Balumahendra.
• Ram

References[link]

External links[link]

• Balu Mahendra at the Internet Movie Database