Teacher’s Day Special: Kollywood mentors and their protégés

K Balachander – Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan

The late K Balachander is still remembered as the man who introduced us to Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Balachander would have completed 50 years in the Tamil Industry this year (2015). The trio of Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan and Balachander came together in 1975 for Apoorva Ragangal. It was Rajinikanth’s debut and Kamal Haasan’s breakthrough film. Balachander had good words to say about Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. For Kamal Haasan he said, “I did not teach him everything he knows. He just absorbed everything I knew. I only gave him the platform and the opportunity to discover himself.” About Rajnikanth he said, “He has evolved on his own merits and strengths. I gave him an opportunity and unveiled
him to the world. He went and conquered it.”

Bala – Vikram, Suriya

He is responsible for giving new life to the dwindling career of Vikram. Vikram, who now boasts of six Filmfare Awards as well as one National Film Award and Tamil Nadu State Film Award amongst other recognitions, was struggling in the Tamil film industry for almost a decade. Bala made his directorial debut with Sethu in 1999 that gave Vikram his first break and instant recognition. Bala's next film was Nandha which gave a career boost to Suriya. Suriya also received a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor.

Dhanush - Anirudh Ravichander

Music Composer Anirudh Ravichander can credit actor Dhanush for his break in Tamil films. The Kolaveri Di composer got his first break in the movie 3, directed by his cousin Aishwarya R. Dhanush. Since then, Dhanush has been guiding the budding composer. He, in fact, has collaborated with Dhanush on a number of movies like 3, Ethir Neechal and Velaiyilla Pattathari.Their bond is now three-films strong.

Mani Ratnam – A R Rahman

Tamil director Mani Ratnam, well-known for films like Roja, Guru and Dil Se, can be credited for bringing A.R.Rahman into films. Back in 1991, after his fall-out with music director Illayaraja, Ratnam was in search of a new music composer for his film. One day, at an awards function, Mani Ratnam chanced upon A.R. Rahman, who had received the award for the best ad jingle, which he had composed for the popular Leo Coffee ad. Mani signed him and they even worked for a film that did not do well. But Mani signed him again. That film was Roja. The music of the film was a phenomenal success that revolutionised modern day Indian film music. And the rest, as they say, is history. Some of their best collaborations include Roja, Bombay, O Kadhal Kanmani, Kannathil Muttamithal, Alaipayuthey and Dil Se.

Mugur Sundar – Prabhudeva

Prabhudeva is the son of noted south choreographer Mugur Sundar, who has more than 10000 dance sequences to his credit. He has three sons, Prabhudeva, Raju Sundaram and Nagendra Prasad who are established dance masters. Prabhudeva took inspiration from his father and stepped into choreography. In a career spanning twenty-five years, he has performed and designed a wide range of dancing styles. He has garnered two National Film Awards for Best Choreography and is widely referred in the media as Indian Michael Jackson.
Jackson.