IFFA 2026 GUEST
Balaji Tharaneetharan is a Tamil filmmaker known for original, offbeat storytelling that finds humour and humanity in unusual situations. A graduate of Chennai’s MGR Government Film and Television Training Institute, he made a striking debut with Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012), a small-budget comedy inspired by a real incident in his cinematographer’s life. Made with a cast of newcomers led by Vijay Sethupathi, the film became a cult favourite and proved that a fresh idea could outshine big budgets and star power.
He followed it with Seethakaathi (2018), Vijay Sethupathi’s 25th film, a tribute to stage artists and the passion that keeps theatre alive, and the family drama Oru Pakka Kathai. His latest, Baththa (2026), presented by Atlee, marks his third collaboration with Vijay Sethupathi. Balaji’s films are marked by sincerity, wit and a deep respect for the craft of performance.