Director K. Balachander declared winner of Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2010 by I&B Ministry

Director K. Balachander was declared the winner of Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2010 by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on 29 April 2011.

Director K. Balachander born in July 1930 is one of the influential filmmakers and trendsetters in Indian cinema. Most of his movies are directed in Tamil though he has directed movies in other languages like Hindi and Kannada languages as well. He came to prominence in 1960 as an amateur playwright with his dynamic plays like Major Chandrakanth, Server Sundaram, Neerkumizhi, Mezhuguvarthi, Naanal and Navagraham.

He entered the film industry in 1965 and shot into fame with his very first film ‘Neerkumizhi’ starring Nagesh. He significantly contributed to the Tamil Cinema. His popular Tamil movies include: Apoorva Raagangal (1975), Avargal (1977), Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980). His more recent films include: His later films include Parthale Paravasam (2001) and Poi (2006).

Movies directed by him in Tamil like Iru Kodugal(1969), Apoorva Raagangal(1975), Thaneer Thaneer(1981) and Achamillai Achamillai (1984) wer awarded the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. Rudraveena(Telugu) directed by him won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration and in 1991 Oru Veedu Iru Vaasal(Tamil) won the National Film Award for Best Film On other Social Issues.

He introduced hundreds of actors in Tamil Cinema including Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Prakash Raj and Vivek. He also owns a production house named Kavithalaya Productions.
Popularly known as Iyakkunar Sikaram (English: The Greatest Director) in Kollywood, he has won ANR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Kalaimaamani from the Tamil nadu Government in 1973. He received the prestigious Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award in 1987.

Veteran Telugu film producer Dr. Daggubati Ramanaidu, who holds the Guinness Record for making the most number of films was awarded the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2009.