{{Short description|Indian actor (2005-2009)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Balaji | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | nationality = | other_names = | occupation = Actor | years_active = 2005-2009 | known_for = | notable_works = | relatives = Ravichandran (brother) }} '''Balaji''' is a former Indian actor who worked in Kannada-language films. He is the younger brother of V. Ravichandran.
== Career == Balaji was supposed to make his acting debut with films such as ''College'' and ''Preethisona Baa'' which failed to take off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec02/ent5.htm|title=Whiff of fresh air|date=2 December 2001|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=9 March 2025|first=Srikanth|last=Srinivasa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020209071142/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec02/ent5.htm|archive-date=9 February 2002}}</ref> He made his debut with the romantic drama film ''Aham Premasmi'' (2005) directed, written, produced, composed and edited by his brother who also co-starred in the film as the God of Love.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/may292005/movies171512005528.asp |title=Aham Premasmi | first= S. N. |last= Deepak| work= Deccan Herald | access-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219002213/http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/may292005/movies171512005528.asp |archive-date=19 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The film was released to positive reviews, and a critic opined that "Balaji proves that he is hero material in the song and fight sequences" whilst another opined that "Its better if Balaji be himself instead of trying to imitate his brother at times!"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/may/27aham.htm|title=Don't miss Aham Premasmi!|date=27 May 2005|work=Rediff.com|first=R. G.|last=Vijayasarathy|author-link=R. G. Vijayasarathy|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref><ref name="A">{{Cite web|url=http://www.viggy.com/english/review_aham_premasmi.asp|title= Aham Premasmi - film review|work=Viggy|date=2005|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref> His next film was the action film ''Thunta'' (2005), which went through a change of cast and crew.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.viggy.com/english/current_tunta02.asp|title=Rebirth of 'Thunta'|date=2005|work=Viggy|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chitraloka.com/sections/scoop/thunta.html|title=BALAJI IS THUNTA|website=Chitraloka|access-date=7 September 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030810183746/http://chitraloka.com/sections/scoop/thunta.html|archive-date=10 August 2003}}</ref> The film was released to mixed reviews. One critic opined that "His lively performance is the saving point of the film".<ref name="T">{{Cite web|url=https://www.webindia123.com/movie/regional/thunta/index.htm|title=Thunta Kannada movie review|work=webindia123|access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref> Both of the films failed at the box office.{{Cn|date=November 2024}}
After a four-year gap, his next film was ''Rajakumari'' (2009), which featured his brother in a guest role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-lovers-struggle-in-iniya/20090513.htm|title=Balaji hopes to score with Iniya|date=13 May 2009|work=Rediff.com|first=R. G.|last=Vijayasarathy|author-link=R. G. Vijayasarathy|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/rajkumari/movie-review/4237912.cms|title=RAJKUMARI MOVIE REVIEW|work=The Times of India|date=10 May 2016|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref> The film also released to negative reviews with a critic writing that "Balaji lets all his fans down because his performance is not up to the mark. Though he did well in stunt sequences, he has to improve a lot in other departments".<ref name="R">{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2009/Mar/07/queen-of-letdowns-31182.html|title=Queen of letdowns|work=The New Indian Express|date=7 March 2009|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref> His last film was ''Iniya'' (2009) released to mixed-to-negative reviews with Balaji credited for carrying "the film on his shoulders with his brilliant acting and excellent dialogue delivery".<ref name="I">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/iniya/movie-review/4951458.cms|title=INIYA MOVIE REVIEW|work=The Times of India|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref> After the box office failures of both of these films, Balaji decided to quit acting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/balaji-rubbishes-comeback-rumours/articleshow/21622963.cms?from=mdr|title=Balaji rubbishes comeback rumours|date=5 August 2013|work=The Times of India|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>
== Personal life == In 2002, Sushma Hirenath fell in love with him after he promised to make her a star. She consumed poison and subsequently died after she blamed him of not giving her film opportunities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/wannabe-starlet-ends-life/articleshow/12898803.cms|title=Wannabe starlet ends life|work=The Times of India|date=13 June 2002|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref>
== Filmography == {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Film ! Role ! Notes ! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | rowspan="2"|2005 || ''Aham Premasmi'' || Eeshwar || || <ref name="A"/> |- | ''Thunta'' || Gopalakrishna || ||<ref name="T"/> |- | rowspan="2"|2009 || ''Rajakumari'' || Balu alias Raja || || <ref name="R"/> |- | ''Iniya'' || Balu || ||<ref name="I"/> |- |}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == *{{IMDb name|1980168}}
Category:Actors in Kannada cinema Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people