{{short description|Indian filmmaker and actor (born 1987)}} {{EngvarB|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Balaji Mohan | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|5|25}} | years_active = 2012–present | birth_place = Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = {{Ubl | {{Marriage|Aruna|2012|2016|end=div}} | {{marriage|Dhanya Balakrishna|2022}} }} | known_for = {{Ubl | ''Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi'' | ''Vaayai Moodi Pesavum'' | ''Maari''}} | occupation = {{Hlist | Filmmaker | Actor}} | parents = }}
'''Balaji Mohan''' (born 25 May 1987<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iflicks.in/StarPage/Director/Balaji-Mohan |title=Balaji-Mohan |website=Iflicks |date=18 August 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818171559/http://www.iflicks.in/StarPage/Director/Balaji-Mohan |archivedate=2016-08-18 |url-status=dead}}{</ref>) is an Indian filmmaker and actor in Tamil-language films. After discontinuing his engineering studies to pursue his passion for becoming a director, he enrolled at a film academy and attended courses and workshops, besides participating in short film contests. After shooting over half a dozen short films, he directed his first full-length film, a romantic comedy Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi based on one of his short films.
==Early life== Balaji was born on 25 May 1987 in Tiruchirappalli to a Telugu father and Tamil mother.<ref name="lovefail">{{cite web |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/postmortem/lovefailure.html |title=Post mortem Love failure by Balaji Mohan |accessdate=31 March 2012 | archive-date=4 March 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304032818/http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/postmortem/lovefailure.html | url-status=live}}</ref> He pursued his schooling at Campion Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirappalli, and later joined the Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering in Chennai for his higher studies, albeit he had decided in 10th grade already that he wanted to become a director.<ref name="lovefail" /> He recalls that his parents bought him a handycam in his third semester,<ref name="lovefail" /> and he made his first short film called ''Velicham'',<ref name="ringing">{{cite web |url=http://postnoon.com/2012/02/21/the-phone-hasnt-stopped-ringing/30668 |title=The phone hasn't stopped ringing |publisher=Post noon |date=21 February 2012 |accessdate=31 March 2012 |author=Hemanth Kumar | archive-date=24 February 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224074917/http://postnoon.com/2012/02/21/the-phone-hasnt-stopped-ringing/30668 | url-status=live}}</ref> which was also sent to film festivals and won.<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite news |author=Anusha Parthasarathy |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article840089.ece |title=Life & Style / Metroplus : Lights, camera, upload |work=The Hindu |date=21 October 2010 |accessdate=9 May 2012 |location=Chennai, India |archive-date=8 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508180458/http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article840089.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> Although he had initially planned to complete his education before following his passion and pursuing a career in filmmaking, he did not want to "wait for too long" after making ''Velicham''. After convincing his parents, he discontinued his engineering course two years later and went on to join the L. V. Prasad Film and TV Academy in Vadapalani, Chennai, to learn editing and sound design.<ref name="lovefail" /><ref name=ringing/> He also studied acting at the Alchemy Institute, Adyar, Chennai.
==Personal life== Balaji Mohan got married in June 2012 to Aruna. In May 2016, Balaji announced his divorce due to irreconcilable differences.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-maari-director-balaji-mohan-confirms-his-divorce-2209573 |title='Maari' director Balaji Mohan confirms his divorce |date=5 May 2016|access-date = 6 May 2016|archive-date = 6 May 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160506201420/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-maari-director-balaji-mohan-confirms-his-divorce-2209573|url-status = live}}</ref> In January 2022, he married Dhanya Balakrishna, who co-starred with him in his directorial ''As I'm Suffering From Kadhal'' (2017).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/balaji-mohan-and-dhanya-balakrishnan-get-married-secretly/articleshow/96316098.cms |title=Balaji Mohan and Dhanya Balakrishnan get married secretly |website=The Times of India|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=5 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105200331/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/balaji-mohan-and-dhanya-balakrishnan-get-married-secretly/articleshow/96316098.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career== Balaji began his career as an assistant director for the Tamil film called ''Kulir 100°'' (2009). While the film was in its pre-production stage, he got the opportunity to join the ''Gateway to Hollywood'', a show that was aired in Sony TV. His short film ''Treasure'' was featured in the contest and Balaji became one of the 6 finalists of the show.<ref name="lovefail" /> He later joined as an assistant director for Sudha K. Prasad's Tamil film ''Drohi'' (2010),<ref name="lovefail" /> while simultaneously participating in Kalaignar TV's first season of ''Naalaya Iyakunar''.<ref name="lovefail" /><ref name=ringing/> He directed five short films namely ''Kodi'', ''The Juniors'', ''Addi Tail'', ''Mittai Veedu'' and ''Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi'' for the show and was one of the winners of the series award for consistent performance.{{citation needed|date= November 2022}}
Among his works, ''Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi'' was most popular and went viral on YouTube, garnering overwhelming response.<ref name="thehindu1"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/My-short-film-worked-to-my-advantage-Balaji-Mohan/articleshow/12134816.cms |work=The Times of India |title=My short film worked to my advantage: Balaji Mohan |date=4 March 2012 | access-date=4 March 2012 | archive-date=22 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922141904/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/My-short-film-worked-to-my-advantage-Balaji-Mohan/articleshow/12134816.cms | url-status=live}}</ref> Cinematographer Nirav Shah saw the short film and initiated the idea to make it into a full-length feature film.<ref name="lovefail" /> Balaji took three months to develop the script, while Nirav Shah reached out to producers and actors, introducing him to producer Sashikanth of YNot Movies.<ref name="lovefail" /><ref>{{cite web |author=Janani Karthik DC chennai |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/kadhalil-sodhappuvathu-yeppadi-how-short-film-turned-feature-film-087 |title=Kadhalil Sodhappuvathu Yeppadi: How a short film turned into feature film |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=20 February 2012 |accessdate=9 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502033032/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/kadhalil-sodhappuvathu-yeppadi-how-short-film-turned-feature-film-087 |archivedate=2 May 2012}}</ref> Siddharth, who too was keen on turning the short film into a feature film after he had seen it, entered the project, playing the lead role besides co-producing the venture.<ref>{{cite web |author=Anupama Subramanian DC chennai |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/siddharth-multi-tasker-620 |title=Siddharth, the multi tasker |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=24 January 2012 |access-date=9 May 2012 |archive-date=25 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125105833/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/siddharth-multi-tasker-620 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film was partially reshot in Telugu. The project was completed in a record 36 days,<ref name=ringing/> and the film was released in February 2012. Opening to highly positive critical response, the film went on to become a sleeper hit.<ref>{{cite web |author=G Pramod Kumar |url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/a-cool-romantic-comedy-creates-a-flutter-in-the-south-226872.html |title=A cool romantic comedy creates a flutter in the south |publisher=Firstpost |date=27 February 2012 |accessdate=9 May 2012 |archive-date=1 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501004023/http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/a-cool-romantic-comedy-creates-a-flutter-in-the-south-226872.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
Balaji Mohan collaborated with Dulquer Salmaan for his second directorial venture, a bilingual titled ''Vaayai Moodi Pesavum'' in Tamil and ''Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram'' in Malayalam. The film marked Balaji Mohan's debut in Malayalam cinema and Dulquer Salmaan's debut in Tamil cinema. His third film was ''Maari'', starring Dhanush and it released in July, 2015. Next, he teamed up with actor Dhanush again for ''Maari 2'', a sequel to ''Maari''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/maari-2-dhanusha-and-balaji-mohan-to-join-hands-again-306367-2016-01-31 |title=Maari 2: Dhanush and Balaji Mohan to join hands again |website=India Today|date=31 January 2016 |access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=5 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105201213/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/maari-2-dhanusha-and-balaji-mohan-to-join-hands-again-306367-2016-01-31|url-status=live}}</ref>
He then produced, written and directed a web series titled ''As I'm Suffering From Kadhal'', in which he also played an important role. The series was made in Tamil and dubbed in Telugu. It was released in Hotstar Originals on 15 June 2017.{{citation needed|date= November 2022}} In late 2022, he began directing ''Kaadhal Konjam Thookala'', an adaptation of the novel ''Make it 2'' by Sharada Subramanian, with Kalidas Jayaram and stand-Up comedian Nirmal Pillai in the lead roles;<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-16 |title=Sharmiela Mandre backs Balaji Mohan's 'Kaadhal Konjam Thookala' as producer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/sharmiela-mandre-backs-balaji-mohans-kaadhal-konjam-thookala-as-producer/articleshow/94223658.cms |access-date=2024-05-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> the film, despite some filming progress, ended up languishing in production hell.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M |first=Shashiprasad S. |date=2023-02-08 |title=I enjoy film production as much as I enjoy acting: Sharmiela Mandre |url=https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/i-enjoy-being-a-producer-as-much-as-i-enjoy-acting-says-sharmiela-mandre/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=The South First |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, Mohan produced the Tamil-language comedy drama television series ''Accidental Farmer & Co'' which streamed on SonyLiv.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accidental Farmer & Co: SonyLIV's forthcoming Tamil original, starring Vaibhav, is a comedy in the offing |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/accidental-farmer-co-sonylivs-forthcoming-tamil-original-starring-vaibhav-is-a-comedy-in-the-offing/16081e7b0d904 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=OTTPlay |language=en |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228185951/https://www.ottplay.com/news/accidental-farmer-co-sonylivs-forthcoming-tamil-original-starring-vaibhav-is-a-comedy-in-the-offing/16081e7b0d904 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Filmography== ===As a film director===
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Language ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Ref heading}} |- | rowspan="2" | 2012 || rowspan="2" | ''Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi'' || rowspan="3" | Tamil || {{Nominated}}—SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director || rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kadhalil-sodhapuvadhu-yeppadi-simple-is-beautiful/article2906969.ece |title=Kadhalil Sodhapuvadhu Yeppadi: Simple is beautiful |date=18 February 2012 |work=The Hindu|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=5 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105201017/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/kadhalil-sodhapuvadhu-yeppadi-simple-is-beautiful/article2906969.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-love-failure-is-refreshing/20120220.htm |title=Review: Love Failure is refreshing |first=Radhika |last=Rajamani |website=Rediff|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=5 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105201019/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-love-failure-is-refreshing/20120220.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | Partially reshot in Telugu as ''Love Failure'' |- | rowspan="2" | 2014 || ''Vaayai Moodi Pesavum'' || rowspan="2" | Bilingual movie || style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140426/entertainment-movie-review/article/movie-review-vaayai-moodi-pesavum-shut-and-listen |title=Movie review 'Vaayai Moodi Pesavum': Shut up and listen! |first=nandita |last=ravi |date=27 April 2014 |website=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=5 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105201017/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140426/entertainment-movie-review/article/movie-review-vaayai-moodi-pesavum-shut-and-listen|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | ''Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram'' || Malayalam || style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/going-places/article5809586.ece |title=Going places |date=20 March 2014 |work=The Hindu|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=5 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105201018/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/going-places/article5809586.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2015 || ''Maari'' || rowspan="2" | Tamil || || style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/maari-fulfils-how-i-wanted-to-see-dhanush-onscreen-says-director-balaji-mohan/ |title='Maari' fulfils how I wanted to see Dhanush onscreen, says director Balaji Mohan |date=13 July 2015|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=5 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105201017/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/maari-fulfils-how-i-wanted-to-see-dhanush-onscreen-says-director-balaji-mohan/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2018 || ''Maari 2'' || || style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/director-balaji-mohan-confirms-maari-2-will-release-second-half-2018-78155 |title=Director Balaji Mohan confirms 'Maari 2' will release in second half of 2018 |date=18 March 2018 |website=The News Minute|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=5 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105201017/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/director-balaji-mohan-confirms-maari-2-will-release-second-half-2018-78155|url-status=live}}</ref> |}
===As an actor===
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of Balaji Mohan film acting credits |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2010 || ''Thurumbilum Iruppan'' || Balu || Short film<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scmMuFDxmds|title=Thurumbilum Iruppar by Nalan | Naalaiya Iyakkunar 1 | Kalaignar TV|date=20 November 2015|via=YouTube}}</ref> |- | 2012 || ''Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi'' || Narrator || |- | 2014 || ''Vaayai Moodi Pesavum'' || News reporter || |- | 2015 || ''Maari'' || Man in auto rickshaw || |- | rowspan=2 | 2017 || ''Pa. Pandi'' || Raghavan || |- | ''Velaiilla Pattadhari 2'' || Balaji || |- | 2021 || ''Vinodhaya Sitham'' || Doctor || |- | 2023 || ''Thrishanku'' || Himself || Malayalam film<ref>{{Cite web |title=Panjimittai song from Thrishanku is out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/may/24/panjimittaisong-fromthrishankuis-out-43802.html |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=Cinema Express |date=24 May 2023 |language=en |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525071011/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/may/24/panjimittaisong-fromthrishankuis-out-43802.html |url-status=live}}</ref> |}
===As a producer=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of Balaji Mohan film producing credits |- ! rowspan="2" scope="col"| Year ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Credited as ! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" scope="col" | Notes |- ! Producer |- | 2021 || ''Mandela'' || {{Yes}} || style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/nov/19/its-a-wrap-for-balaji-mohans-mandela-15588.html |title=It's a wrap for Balaji Mohan's Mandela |website=Cinema Express|date=19 November 2019 |access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=6 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606123000/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/nov/19/its-a-wrap-for-balaji-mohans-mandela-15588.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |2022 |''Mad Company'' | rowspan="2" {{Partial|Creative}} | |- | 2023 || ''Accidental Farmer and Co'' || style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/binge-watch/reviews/story/accidental-farmer-and-co-review-the-vaibhav-starrer-is-a-comedy-of-errors-that-centres-around-the-village-loser-2344580-2023-03-10 |title=Accidental Farmer and Co Review: The Vaibhav-starrer is a comedy of errors that centres around the village 'loser' |website=India Today|date=10 March 2023 |access-date=19 July 2023|archive-date=19 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719181952/https://www.indiatoday.in/binge-watch/reviews/story/accidental-farmer-and-co-review-the-vaibhav-starrer-is-a-comedy-of-errors-that-centres-around-the-village-loser-2344580-2023-03-10|url-status=live}}</ref> |}
=== Web series === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of Balaji Mohan film producing credits |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Series ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{ref heading}} |- | 2017 || ''As I'm Suffering From Kadhal'' || Hotstar || style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/as-im-suffering-from-kadhal-trailer-balaji-mohan-we-series-watch-video-4690051/ |title=As I'm suffering from Kadhal trailer: Balaji Mohan's web series is full of promises. Watch video |date=5 June 2017|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=20 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520122448/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/as-im-suffering-from-kadhal-trailer-balaji-mohan-we-series-watch-video-4690051/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2022 || ''Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa'' || {{ubl | Anthology – Amazon Prime Video | Segment: ''Mugakavasa Mutham''}} || style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/putham-pudhu-kaalai-vidiyaadhaa-review-nadiya-arjun-das/article38271304.ece |title='Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa…' review: Three hits and two misses in this anthology of hope |first=Praveen |last=Sudevan |newspaper=The Hindu |date=14 January 2022 |via=www.thehindu.com|access-date=5 January 2023|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117203917/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/putham-pudhu-kaalai-vidiyaadhaa-review-nadiya-arjun-das/article38271304.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> |}
=== Short films === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Title !Notes |- | ''Velicham'' || |- | ''Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi'' || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blksowgCrZI|title=Kadhalil Sodhappuvathu Yeppadi? - a short film by Maari Director Balaji Mohan | Naalaiya Iyakkunar 1|date=30 September 2015|via=YouTube}}</ref> |- | ''Chronos'' || credited as M. Balaji<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YDkvRmSd6E|title=Chronos - a short film by M. Balaji | Naalaiya Iyakkunar 1 | Kalaignar TV|date=11 November 2015|via=YouTube}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|id=4897036}}
{{Balaji Mohan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mohan, Balaji}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Telugu film directors Category:Tamil film directors Category:Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu Category:Artists from Tiruchirappalli Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema Category:Malayalam film directors Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu Category:21st-century Indian male actors