Balu Mahendra is a cinematography graduate and a gold medallist from the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. He started his film career as a cameraman for the Malayalam film Nellu in 1974 which got him the best cinematographer award from the Government of India. He has been chosen the best cinematographer for as many as ten films.

His first film as a director was Kokila (Kannada,1976), which earned him a National Award. Azhiyatha Kolanagl (1979) was his first directorial venture in Tamil. He is one of the few film makers in Tamil who can tell a story visually. He writes the script for his films, handles the camera and edits the film himself, thus retaining a firm control over his films.

Landmark Films: Azhiyatha Kolanagal (1979), Moonram pirai (1982), Neengal Kettavai (1984), Veedu (1988), Sandhya Ragam (1991), Marupadium (1993)