b>Bala is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, working in Tamil cinema. Bala is frequently credited with having "revolutionized Tamil cinema", through his realistic, dark and disturbing films that have garnered high critical acclaim. He has received several awards and recognition for his work, including the National Film Award for Best Director for his fourth feature film Naan Kadavul (2009)

Bala gave new meaning to filmmaking in Kollywood and revolutionised Tamil cinema with meaningful and realistic films like: Sethu, Nandha and Pithamagan. And finally, 11 years after he started making films, he has been rewarded. Bala won despite some stiff competition in the form of Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion, which won two other awards namely the Best Actress award for Priyanka Chopra and the Best Supporting Actress award for Kangana Ranaut. He also beat Bengali director Aniruddha Roy, whose Antaheen won the Best Feature Film award, apart from winning in three other categories.

Talking to CT after the awards were announced, Bala said, "I dedicate this award to Balu Mahendra sir, who is my guru, and his wife Akila. They were the only people who were sure that I would win this award. I learnt everything about filmmaking and life from Balu sir. I'm indebted to him in every way."

Bala makes raw, riveting and realistic films that are dark and often disturbing.
Balu Mahendra, after watching Naan Kadavul at the time of its release, remarked, "Bala has brilliantly portrayed the dark and disturbing side of the beggar mafia in places around devotional institutions in the country. It is realistic and yet, has large dosages of humour. The movie leaves a lump in your throat. This is undoubtedly new, radical Tamil cinema."

Filmography:

As Actor:
Sandhya Raagam - Postman role (1989)

As director:
1999 Sethu
- Winner, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
- Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Director Award
- Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
- Winner, Tamil Nadu State Special Award for Best Film
2001 Nandha
- Winner, Tamil Nadu State Special Award for Best Film
2003 Pithamagan
- Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Director Award
- Winner, ITFA Best Director Award
2009 Naan Kadavul
- Winner, National Film Award for Best Director
- Winner, Vijay Award for Best Director
2011 Avan Ivan