Ramesh talks about K Balachander

K Balachander (KB) was truly the Everest among directors. He had the knack of spotting talent like no one else. All the big names in the South industry today owe some of our best films to his creative genius. When he walked into a set (dressed spotlessly in white and white) the whole crew would be electrified. He was a bundle of energy. It was a pleasure to be directed by him.He loved intelligent actors who could contribute to a scene and encourage us to try bold and creative options in approaching a role. Even the smallest of characters would become interesting on screen because of the famous ‘KB touch’. He could polish talented actors into dazzling stars by the power of his direction. He would pick the best part of us — be it our walk, our dialogue delivery style or our eyes — and project that part to the audience in best way possible. I had a co-star who was good at cart-wheeling and KB pictured a duet with cart-wheeling to highlight his talent!
Innovation, courage and conviction were trademarks of a KB film. To this day, I wonder at the guts of the man to try a Apoorva Raagangal or Avargal or so many other films in those days. Mischief, naughtiness and humour would mingle effortlessly with serious issues, important statements and deep philosophy in dangerous edges in his films keeping us glued to the screen. He was a master storyteller.
I was doubly fortunate. One, to be directed by him — my first films in Tamil (Manadil Urudi Vendum), Telugu (Rudraveena) and Kannada (Sundara Swapnagalu) were by him. Second, to have the honour of directing the great man in my debut Tamil directorial Uttama Villain (UV). In UV, he plays role of a great director named Margadarshi, which is very similar to KB in real life. He was amazing in the role. His performance in the introductory scene in the film with Kamal Haasan will be remembered for a long time. I grew up watching his films. I was an eager admirer devouring his craft. I was privileged to know him very closely as a favourite student of his. I was in awe of him as a kid and I still continued to be in awe of him as a grown-up. There’s simply no one like him. In the era of sequels there can never be a KB2. He is a true genius of Cinema.