Description: (Cinematographer, director, screenwriter and film editor who worked predominantly in Tamil cinema)
Balu Mahendra was a versatile professional in the Indian film industry, with expertise in cinematography, directing, screenwriting, and film editing mainly in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. He had a passion for photography and literature from a young age, which led him to transition into filmmaking after his formal education and work in Sri Lanka. Mahendra made his directorial debut in 1977 with the Kannada film "Kokila" and went on to direct over 20 films, handling scripting, editing, and cinematography duties. He was considered a trailblazer in Tamil cinema and received numerous prestigious awards for his outstanding contributions.