Mr K. Balachander, film director, screen play writer and producer for more than 45 years, has been chosen for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2010. Conferred by the Government, the award consists of a Swarn Kamal, a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh and a shawl.

Mr Balachander has written, directed and produced more than 100 films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada and has been responsible for bringing into limelight many stars, including Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan, Prakashraaj and Vivek.

“I am indeed very happy……I never expected this. I really feel honoured. It's actually a collective achievement…and, I owe it to all my colleagues in the film industry. Now my life and work seem complete,” Mr Balachander told Business Line .

Born in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu in July 1930, he came into prominence as a playwright with plays such as Major Chandrakanth, Server Sundaram, Naanal and Neerkumizhi .

He entered the film industry in 1965 and shot into fame with his very first film Neerkumizhi starring Nagesh. Some of the prominent films he has directed include Apoorva Raagagal , Avargal , 47 Natkal , Sindhu Bhairavi , Ek Duuje Ke Liye (Hindi), Maro Charithra , and Rudraveena in Telugu, Thaneer Thaneer (Tamil) and Bekiyalli Aralida Hoovu , in Kannada.

He was conferred the Padma Shri in 1987 and was honoured with the title Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu Government in 1973.

He has also won the Golden Nandi award and Silver Nandi awards from Govt of Andhra Pradesh and has also won the Filmfare award as Best Director many times.

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