Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran or commonly known as Balu Mahendra, was an Indian cinematographer, director, screenwriter and film editor. Born into a Sri Lankan Tamil household, Mahendra developed a passion towards photography and literature at a tender age. He was drawn towards film-making after witnessing the shoot of David Lean's The Bridge on the River Kwai in Sri Lanka. He started his career as a literary editor before gaining an admission to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) to pursue a course in cinematography. Mahendra entered films as a cinematographer in the early 1970s and gradually rose to becoming a film-maker by the end of the decade.
Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal
(Director)
Moondram Pirai
(Director)
Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam
(Director)
Thalaimuraigal
(Director)
Thalaimuraigal
(Editor)
Julie Ganapathi
(Director)
Yathra
(Director)
Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
(Director)
Vanna Vanna Pookkal
(Director)
Vanna Vanna Pookkal
(Editor)
Kaliyugam
(Cinematography)
Jeevikkan Marannupoya Sthree
(Cinematography)
Veedu
(Editor)
Veedu
(Director)
Moodupani
(Director)
Kokila
(Director)
Sathi Leelavathi
(Editor)
Sathi Leelavathi
(Screenplay)
Sadma
(Director)
Azhiyatha Kolangal
(Director)
Marupadiyum
(Editor)
Marupadiyum
(Director)
Sadma
(Screenplay)
Sadma
(Story)
Nireekshana
(Director)
Raman Abdullah
(Editor)
Raman Abdullah
(Director)
America Ammayi
(Director of Photography)
Neengal Kettavai
(Director)
Olangal
(Director)
Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam
(Editor)
Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam
(Dialogue)
Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam
(Screenplay)
Sandhya Raagam
(Editor)
Sandhya Raagam
(Director)
Sandhya Raagam
(Screenplay)
Aur Ek Prem Kahani
(Screenplay)
Aur Ek Prem Kahani
(Director)
Aur Ek Prem Kahani
(Dialogue)
Aur Ek Prem Kahani
(Editor)
En Iniya Pon Nilavae
(Director)
Sathi Leelavathi
(Director)
Oomakkuyil
(Director)
Azhiyatha Kolangal
(Screenplay)
Moodupani
(Screenplay)
Kokila
(Screenplay)
Chakravyuham
(Editor)
Chakravyuham
(Story)
Poonthenaruvi Chuvannu
(Director)
Vasanthame Varuga
(Screenplay)
Chakravyuham
(Director)
Chakravyuham
(Screenplay)
Vasanthame Varuga
(Director)
Olangal
(Dialogue)
Vasanthame Varuga
(Editor)
Olangal
(Screenplay)
Vasanthame Varuga
(Story)
Yathra
(Screenplay)
Oomakkuyil
(Dialogue)
Oomakkuyil
(Screenplay)
Marupadiyum
(Director of Photography)
Sadma
(Director of Photography)
Nireekshana
(Director of Photography)
Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
(Editor)
Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
(Screenplay)
Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
(Director of Photography)
Thalaimuraigal
(Producer)
Raman Abdullah
(Director of Photography)
Vanna Vanna Pookkal
(Director of Photography)
Julie Ganapathi
(Director of Photography)
Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam
(Director of Photography)
Aur Ek Prem Kahani
(Director of Photography)
Thalaimuraigal
(Screenplay)
Vanna Vanna Pookkal
(Screenplay)
Lambadolla Ramadasu
(Director of Photography)
Sathi Leelavathi
(Director of Photography)
Sandhya Raagam
(Producer)
Raman Abdullah
(Story)
Raman Abdullah
(Screenplay)
Thalaimuraigal
(Director of Photography)
Thalaimuraigal
(Story)
Aur Ek Prem Kahani
(Story)
Chakravyuham
(Director of Photography)
En Iniya Pon Nilavae
(Screenplay)
Veedu
(Screenplay)
Julie Ganapathi
(Screenplay)
Julie Ganapathi
(Editor)
En Iniya Pon Nilavae
(Director of Photography)
En Iniya Pon Nilavae
(Story)
En Iniya Pon Nilavae
(Dialogue)
Vanna Vanna Pookkal
(Story)
Sandhya Raagam
(Dialogue)
Sandhya Raagam
(Director of Photography)
Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam
(Story)
Veedu
(Dialogue)
Yathra
(Director of Photography)
Neengal Kettavai
(Director of Photography)
Neengal Kettavai
(Dialogue)
Nireekshana
(Editor)
Oomakkuyil
(Director of Photography)
Veedu
(Director of Photography)
Oomakkuyil
(Story)
Urangatha Ninaivugal
(Director of Photography)
Neengal Kettavai
(Screenplay)
Azhiyatha Kolangal
(Story)
Sankarabharanam
(Director of Photography)
Olangal
(Director of Photography)
Moodupani
(Director of Photography)
Vasanthame Varuga
(Director of Photography)
Nireekshana
(Screenplay)
Moondram Pirai
(Story)
Azhiyatha Kolangal
(Director of Photography)
Kokila
(Director of Photography)
Tourist Bungalow
(Story)
Pallavi Anu Pallavi
(Director of Photography)
Moondram Pirai
(Screenplay)
Moondram Pirai
(Dialogue)
Moondram Pirai
(Director of Photography)
Sasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu
(Director of Photography)
Raagam
(Director of Photography)
Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi
(Director of Photography)
Mullum Malarum
(Director of Photography)
Kokila
(Story)
Chuvanna Sandhyakal
(Story)
Tourist Bungalow
(Director of Photography)
Nellu
(Director of Photography)
Ulkadal
(Director of Photography)
Manavoori Pandavulu
(Director of Photography)
Ponni
(Director of Photography)
Prayanam
(Director of Photography)
Chattakkari
(Director of Photography)
Chuvanna Sandhyakal
(Director of Photography)
Chukku
(Director of Photography)
Panthulamma
(Director of Photography)
Maaya
(Director of Photography)
Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal
(Dialogue)
Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal
(Director of Photography)
Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal
(Screenplay)
Rama Shama Bhama
(Original Story)
Veedu
(Writer)
Moodupani
(Writer)
Kathai Neram
(Director)
Kathai Neram
(Creator)