Producer K Balaji backed nearly 16 films starring Sivaji Ganesan. Their association started in the early sixties when Sivaji Ganesan recommended Balaji for various film roles. The successful collaborations in movies like Bale Pandya and Padithal Thar Satu with Sivaji opened up significant career opportunities for Balaji.
K Balaji’s initial venture was Thangai, directed by AC Tirulokchandar and featuring Shivaji in the lead role, with KR Vijaya as the female lead. It followed a unique storyline and enjoyed a successful run of 100 days. Following the success of Thangai, which premiered in early 1967, K Balaji released En Thambi in September 1967, starring Sivaji and Saroja Devi. In this film, Balaji portrayed an emotional role as Shivaji’s younger brother.
Following this, K Balaji produced and released Thirudan, featuring Sivaji Ganesan and KR Vijaya. Balaji portrayed a villainous role in the film. Thirudan was released in 1969 and was a success with a 100-day run.
Directed by AC Tirulokchandar, the film also starred Vijaya Lalitha in the leading roles. Other actors including Major Sundarrajan, Nagesh, Baby Rani, Sasikumar, A Sakunthala and others were also seen in pivotal roles. With music composed by MS Viswanathan, the cinematography of the film is handled by Masthan and M Viswanath Rai.
This film, adapted from the 1969 Telugu movie Adrushtavanthulu, was released on October 10, 1969. The film originally starred Agniyeni Nageswara Rao and Jayalalithaa.
It achieved significant commercial success, running in theatres for over 100 days. V. Madhusudhana Rao handled the screenplay and direction, with lyrics by Acharya Athreya. The film was also released in Hindi as Himmat the following year.
Apart from black and white films, K Balaji and Sivaji Ganesan joined forces for Engrindo Vandal, which starred Jayalalithaa and was released in 1971. The film achieved notable success at the box office. Again in 1972, the duo reunited for the film Raja, featuring the same lead pair.
Despite their earlier successful partnership, K Balaji and Sivaji Ganesan faced a setback in 1974 with En Magan. Following this, their film Udaka Naan didn’t perform well at the box office. He then released Dheepam which is the remake of the 1976 Malayalam film Theekkanal. This film starred Sivaji Ganesan as the lead, portraying a character who sacrifices his love upon discovering his brother’s affection for the same woman. Dheepam proved to be a massive hit, competing with MGR’s Meenava Nandaan.
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