Balaji Mohan

Balaji Mohan (born 25 May 1987) is an Indian filmmaker and actor in Tamil-language films. After discontinuing his engineering studies to pursue his passion and become a director, he enrolled at a film academy and attended courses and workshops, besides participating in short film contests. After shooting more than half-a-dozen short films, he directed his first full-length film romantic comedy Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi based on one of his own short films. Early life Balaji was born on 25 May 1987 in Tiruchirappalli. He pursued his schooling in Campion Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirappalli, and later joined the Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering in Chennai for his higher studies, albeit he had decided in 10th class already that he wanted to become a director. He recalls that his parents bought him a handycam in his third semester, and he made his first short film called Velicham, which was also sent to film festivals and won. Although he had initially planned to complete his education before following his passion and pursuing a career in filmmaking, he did not want to "wait for too long" after making Velicham. After convincing his parents, he discontinued his engineering course two years later and went on to join the L. V. Prasad Film and TV Academy in Vadapalani, Chennai to learn editing and sound design. He also studied acting at Alchemy Institute, Adyar, Chennai. Personal life Balaji Mohan got married in June 2012 to Aruna. In 2013 January, Balaji announced his divorce due to irreconcilable differences. In January 2022, he married Dhanya Balakrishna, who starred in his Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi (2012). Career Balaji began his career as an assistant director for the Tamil film called Kulir 100° (2009). While the film was in its pre-production stage, he got the opportunity to join the Gateway to Hollywood, a show that was aired in Sony TV. His short film Treasure was featured in the contest and Balaji became one of the 6 finalists of the show. He later joined as an assistant director for Sudha K. Prasad's Tamil film Drohi (2010), while simultaneously participating in Kalaignar TV's first season of Naalaya Iyakunar. He directed five short films namely Kodi, The Juniors, Addi Tail, Mittai Veedu and Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi for the show and was one of the winners of the series award for consistent performance.