Balakrishna’s biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

Intro Actor
Was Actor 
From India 
India 
Type Film, TV, Stage & Radio 
Gender male
Birth 2 November 1913, Arsikere, Hassan District, Mysore division, Karnataka
Death 19 July 1995, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
(aged 81 years)

T.N.Balakrishna (2 November 1911 – 19 July 1995) was an Indian actor in the Kannada film industry. He was said to have a hearing problem and some say that he was totally deaf. However, he would catch the lip movements of the artists and would narrate the dialogues spontaneously. He was popular for his comic and villainous roles in films like Muriyada Mane (1964), Bangaarada Manushya (1972), Gandhada Gudi (1973) and Kaamana Billu (1983) and appeared in over a hundred films that starred Rajkumar in the lead role.

Balakrishna is known to have played the most number of roles in Kannada cinema, having appeared in over 560 films as a hero, villain, comedian, good Samaritan, loving father and lunatic. Sudha Chandran is his ex-daughter in law.

Early life

Balakrishna was born into a poor family on 2 November 1913 in Arsikere, Kingdom of Mysore. When he was four years old, his mother sold him to a couple for just ₹8 in order to provide treatment for her ailing husband. He ran away from his adopted parents after having been treated badly.

Career

Balakrishna first acted in the play, Shri Rama Pattabhishekha, in 1929. Following this, he worked as the painter of the stage backdrops for a drama company before becoming a professional sign painter. Later, he became a ticket collector in a drama company for a meagre salary. He returned to acting in theatre with Lakshmasana Drama Company and then with Gowrishankar Nataka Mandali. Following this, he joined the drama company of Gubbi Veeranna, a notable theatre director during the time. Film director B. R. Panthulu happened to visit the drama company, saw his acting on stage and offered him a film role, beginning his career as a movie actor. He appeared as an antagonist in the film Kalachakra, a performance that was appreciated. He appeared in over a hundred Kannada films playing mostly comic roles, that starred Rajkumar in lead roles.

In order to make the Kannada film industry self-reliant and save money for the producers, he started the studio, investing all of his money and property. He built the Abhiman studio in Kengeri, Bangalore on a 20-acre plot in 1963, but faced difficulties initially.

When no Kannada films were being made, he got together with other actors like Rajkumar and G. V. Iyer and produced the film Ranadheera Kanteerava. He even raised money from the public at ₹1 per person to build the studio. The studio was a failure, and Balanna died in penury. Television serials are still being shot at the studio today which is being looked after by Balakrishna’s son, B. Ganesh and grandson Karthik…

Notable filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1943 Radha Ramana    
1952 Dallali    
1954 Devasundari    
1954 Kanyadana    
1954 Muttiddella Chinna    
1955 Ashaadabhooti    
1955 Bhakta Mallikarjuna    
1956 Daiva Sankalpa    
1956 Muttaide Bhagya    
1956 Pancharatna    
1956 Sadarame    
1959 Jagajyothi Basveshwara    
1960 Ranadheera Kanteerava    
1961 Kittur Chennamma    
1962 Bhoodaana    
1964 Annapoorna    
1968 “Gejje Pooje”    
1969 Kappu Bilupu    
1969 Mayor Muthanna    
1971 Kasturi Nivasa Bhojarajaiah  
1971 Namma Samsara    
1972 Bangarada Manushya Raachutappa  
1973 Gandhada Gudi Venkatappa Naika  
1973 Doorada Betta    
1974 Bhakta Kumbara    
1974 Sampathige Saval Puttayya  
1974 Bangaarada Panjara    
1975 Daari Tappida Maga    
1976 Premada Kanike    
1976 Badavara Bandhu    
1976 Naa Ninna Mareyalare    
1977 Sanaadi Appanna    
1978 Sneha Sedu    
1978 Shankar Guru    
1979 Naa Ninna Bidalaare    
1980 Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu    
1982 Praya Praya Praya    
1982 Mullina Gulabi    
1983 Kaamana Billu    
1984 Auto Raja
1987 Ondu Muttina Kathe    
1987 Thaliya Aane    
1987 Shruthi Seridaaga    
1990 Ashwamedha    
1992 Belliyappa Bangarappa    
1983 Kavirathna Kaalidasa Gunasagara
1980 Moogana Sedu    
1985 Bettada Hoovu    

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