K. Balaji
| K. Balaji | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 5 August 1934 |
| Died | 2 May 2009 (aged 74) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Cause of death | Renal failure |
| Residence | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Film actor, producer |
| Years active | 1951–2009 |
| Known for | Billa (1980) – Producer |
| Spouse(s) | Anandavally (died in 1995) |
| Children |
Suresh Balaje Sujatha Suchitra Mohanlal |
| Relatives |
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K. Balaji (5 August 1934 – 2 May 2009) was an Indian film producer and actor best known for his Tamil films, particularly films such as the Rajinikanth-starrer Billa (1980) and Kamal Haasan-starrer Vazhvey Maayam (1982). He was the father-in-law of actor Mohanlal. His son is the producer Suresh Balaje.
Balaji was born to Tamil parents. He was the grandson of colonial era advocate T. Rangachari. His interest in acting began when he performed in school plays and amateur theatre shows.
His quest for a space in showbiz led Balaji to the office of S. S. Vasan, then owner of Gemini Studios in 1951. Vasan was not very keen to work with a newcomer but gave him a minor role in Auvaiyar, in which he played Hindu god Muruga.
Slowly he managed to land meatier roles and was featured as a male lead in a few films.
Balaji soon understood he was better off playing a villain or the hero's understudy with a negative angle in films that included Padithaal Mattum Podhumaa, Bale Pandiya and Thillana Mohanambal.
Even as the career was taking shape, he was hired as a manager in Narasu Studios in the southwest suburbs.
In that capacity, he discovered his true calling in the 1960s after coming into contact with top Hindi actors such as Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Tamil stars Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan and actress Savithri, who advised him to remake Hindi hits into Tamil with leading actors.
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