Filmmaker's Top 10s

[NOV]

[tscii]
K. Balachander

1. Andha Naal
2. Chandralekha
3. Kalyana Parisu
4. Thillana Mohanambal
5. Pasamalar
6. Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
7. 16 Vayathinile
8. Mullum Malarum
9. Kadhal Kottai
10. Kathal

‘Andha Naal’ was released in 1954 starring Sivaji Ganesan and Pandaribai. It was the first talkie in India without song or dance. I like the way director S. Balachander tackles this experimental film, an unusual attempt at that time. Just like ‘Sivaji’ today, people talked about ‘Chandralekha’ in the past. Produced at a cost of Rs 30 lakhs (a huge sum at that time), it has grand sets. I have seen it 12 times. ‘Kalyanaparisu,’ a love story, is the first of its kind. I became director Sridhar’s fan after watching it.