Balu Mahendra

Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran, commonly known as Balu Mahendra, cinematographer, director, screenwriter and film editor who worked in various Indian film industries, primarily in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. Born in Sri Lanka, Mahendran developed a passion for photography and literature at a young age, after witnessing the shoot of David Lean's The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) during a school trip in Sri Lanka, he was drawn towards filmmaking. After graduation he joined as an Aerial photographer in the Sri Lankan Government. In 1966, he moved to India and gained admission to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) to pursue a course in motion picture photography. Upon completion of his diploma, he entered Malayalam cinema as a cinematographer in the early 1970s.

20 May 1939

Born on the same birth day (20 May): Christie Blatchford • Clive Allen • David Hedison • Eduard Buchner • Eduard Ole • Graham Brady • Henri-Edmond Cross • Iker Casillas • Louis Smith (musician) • Matt Langridge • Nick Heyward • Robert Morin • Sam Selvon • Sir William Congreve, 2nd Baronet • Šárka Kašpárková

Born in the same month (May 1939): Al Unser • Don Williams • Harvey Keitel • Judy Collins • Livio Berruti • Maeve Binchy • Mario Segni • Michel Colombier • Ray Gosling • Reg Gasnier • Ruud Lubbers • Sidney Altman • Tim Waterstone