S. Balasubramanian

Balan died on 19 December 2014 in Chennai, India.

• Name — S. Balasubramanian • Birth Name — S. Balasubramanian • Born — 28 December 1935 • Birthplace — Madras, Madras Presidency, British India (now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) • Died — 19 December 2014 • Place of death — Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India • Occupation — Journalist, filmmaker & political analyst

Balan was born on 28 December 1935 in Madras (now Chennai) to S. S. Vasan and Pattammal Vasan (d. 1996). He studied at Presentation Convent, Church Park, and P. S. High School. Afterwards, he later went on to earn a B.Com. degree from Loyola College, Madras.

Ananda Vikatan, the flagship weekly magazine of Vikatan Publications, was founded in 1926 and acquired by Balan's father, S. S. Vasan in 1928. Balan joined Ananda Vikatan as joint managing director and chief editor on 26 August 1956 at 19. He became managing director on 26 August 1969, following the death of his father, Vasan. He served as a chairman to Vikatan until his death. In 1987, Balan was involved in controversy when the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly lodged him in prison for three days over a cartoon satire published on the cover of Ananda Vikatan. Following public backlash, he was released and in 1994, he appealed to court against his unlawful arrest and the Madras High Court ruled in his favor, awarding him ₹1,000 in compensation. Balan reportedly framed and displayed the achievement in his office. Balan also introduced a program for student journalists, contributing to the development of many Tamil media professionals.

• Year — Films — Director — Writer — Producer — Language — Notes • 1961 — Gharana — Hindi • 1963 — Grahasti • 1966 — Motor Sundaram Pillai — Tamil • 1967 — Aurat — Hindi • 1968 — Teen Bahuraniyan • Oli Vilakku — Tamil • 1969 — Shatranj — Hindi • 1971 — Lakhon Mein Ek • 1972 — Sanjog • 1974 — Siriththu Vaazha Vendum — Tamil • Kannavaari Kalalu — Telugu • 1975 — Ellorum Nallavare — Tamil — Also released in Hindi as Ek Gaon Ki Kahani • 1976 — Maa Daivam — Telugu • 1978 — Nishan — Bengali

Balan was an avid aviculturalist and agriculturalist.

Balan died of a heart attack on 19 December 2014 in a private hospital in Chennai, nine days before his 79th birthday. He donated his body to the Sri Ramachandra Medical College. He is survived by his wife and seven kids.